Satire: An IntroductionSatire: An Introduction
What is satire?What is satire? Satire is a literary form in which human Satire is a literary form in which human
follies or vices are held up to ridicule or follies or vices are held up to ridicule or scorn. scorn.
Satire often pokes fun at or ridicules some Satire often pokes fun at or ridicules some aspect of society or a topic of interest in aspect of society or a topic of interest in order to prove a point. order to prove a point.
It uses humor with an edge. It uses humor with an edge.
Where would I find Where would I find satire?satire? In cartoons like In cartoons like Sponge Sponge BobBob or or The SimpsonsThe Simpsons
In cartoons on the In cartoons on the editorial pages of editorial pages of publicationspublications
Late night tv shows like Late night tv shows like Saturday Night Live Saturday Night Live or or The Jon Stewart ShowThe Jon Stewart Show
In music in songs by In music in songs by artists such as Weird Al artists such as Weird Al and Cletus T. Juddand Cletus T. Judd
Characteristics of SatireCharacteristics of Satire Satire is Satire is easily datedeasily dated because it is often inspired because it is often inspired
by current events. It may be hard to understand by current events. It may be hard to understand if one is not familiar with the event that is being if one is not familiar with the event that is being referenced.referenced.
It uses edgy humor in an attempt to reform or It uses edgy humor in an attempt to reform or change human behavior or values.change human behavior or values.
It compares reality to what is ideal, but why is It compares reality to what is ideal, but why is this problematic? this problematic?
Any individual or issue could be fair game for the Any individual or issue could be fair game for the writer of satire.writer of satire.
Major Devices of SatireMajor Devices of Satire ParodyParody—a take-off or imitation —a take-off or imitation
of a work of art or literatureof a work of art or literature UnderstatementUnderstatement—saying less —saying less
than what is really mean “Oh, than what is really mean “Oh, those chemo treatments were those chemo treatments were a piece of cake”a piece of cake”
ExaggerationExaggeration—overstating or —overstating or expanding the facts relating to expanding the facts relating to an issuean issue
More Devices of SatireMore Devices of Satire Some satire contains Some satire contains
hyperboleshyperboles—extreme —extreme exaggerations.exaggerations.
Negative comments Negative comments or or insults may be made insults may be made regarding issues related to regarding issues related to society (politics, health society (politics, health care, racial issues,etc)care, racial issues,etc)
Major Devices of SatireMajor Devices of Satire Irony Irony is the tension between what the is the tension between what the
audience expects to happen and what audience expects to happen and what actually happens.actually happens. A. Dramatic irony—the audience knows A. Dramatic irony—the audience knows
something a character does notsomething a character does not B. Verbal irony—a character means the B. Verbal irony—a character means the
opposite of what he or she saysopposite of what he or she says C. Situational irony—the outcome of the C. Situational irony—the outcome of the
situation is opposite of what is expectedsituation is opposite of what is expected
Major Devices of SatireMajor Devices of Satire
Satire often contains Satire often contains stereotypesstereotypes, which is a , which is a generalization assigned generalization assigned to an entire group.to an entire group.
What stereotypes of What stereotypes of Kentuckians are Kentuckians are represented in this photo?represented in this photo?
What stereotypes are What stereotypes are often applied to teenagers often applied to teenagers today?today?
Major Devices of SatireMajor Devices of Satire ReversalReversal, which is , which is
presenting the oppositepresenting the opposite
of normal order.of normal order.
Major Devices of SatireMajor Devices of Satire
IncongruityIncongruity: : Presenting things Presenting things that are absurd in that are absurd in relation to the relation to the surroundings.surroundings.
Understanding SatireUnderstanding Satire To understand the message of satire, it’s To understand the message of satire, it’s
important to ask yourself these questions: important to ask yourself these questions: What is the issue being targeted in the What is the issue being targeted in the
work?work? How does the creator seem to feel about How does the creator seem to feel about
the issue?the issue? What does he seem to think should What does he seem to think should
change about the issue? change about the issue?
Understanding Satire: What is the Understanding Satire: What is the message in this?message in this?
Cartoon AnalysisCartoon Analysis
