…“A classic is something that everybody wants to have read and nobody

wants to read.--Mark Twain

Satire and Satirical Devices

Satire…Satire is the use of sarcasm,

irony, or wit in writing, speech, etc, to ridicule or mock, often for the purposes of improving society.

Satirical Styles…There are two different types of satirical style:

Direct: the satire is directly stated

Indirect: the satire is communicated/expressed through characters placed into specific situations

Types of Satire…Satire falls into one of two categories:

Horatian: light-hearted, intended for funJuvenalian: bitter, angry— attacking

Satirical Devices…Irony

When irony is used, the actual intent is expressed in words which carry the opposite meaning. It is lighter, less harsh in wording than sarcasm, though more cutting because of its indirectness.

Irony can speak words of praise to imply blame, and words of blame to imply praise. The ability to recognize irony is one of the surest tests of intelligence and sophistication.

Irony can be achieved through techniques such as hyperbole and understatement.

Types of Irony… Verbal Irony: an inversion of meaning—spoken word

(dialogue also) Dramatic Irony: when the words or actions of a

character carry a meaning unperceived by the character, but understood by the audience.

Socratic Irony: Socrates pretended ignorance on order to draw knowledge out of his students using question/answer strategies. Socratic irony is feigning ignorance in order to achieve some advantage over an opponent.

Situational Irony: Contrast & meaning are created through a discrepancy between purpose and results (a practical joke that backfires is situational irony).

The Satire Family Tree… Travesty Burlesque Parody Farce Invective Sarcasm Knaves and Fools Malapropism

Travesty… Presents a serious (often religious) subject

frivolously…it reduces everything to its lowest level.

“trans” = over, across“vestire” = to clothe or dress

Presenting a subject in a dress intended for another type of subject.

Burlesque…Ridiculous exaggeration achieved

through a variety of techniques. For example, the sublime may be absurd—

honest emotions may be turned into sentimentality.

Style is the essential quality of burlesque.

A style ordinarily dignified may be used for nonsensical matters.

Parody…A composition imitating or

burlesquing another, usually serious, piece of work.

Designed to ridicule another work in a nonsensical fashion.

Parody is to literature what the caricature and cartoon is to art.

Travesty, Burlesque, and Farce…

Travesty, Burlesque, and Parody are similar, BUT Travesty always make a mockery of a serious subject, whereas Burlesque and Parody often do the reverse.

Farce…Incites excited laughter through

exaggerated, improbable situations. This usually involves low comedy—

quarreling, fighting, coarse language, horse play, noisy singing, boisterous conduct, trickery, clowning, drunkenness, slap-stick humor, etc…

Invective…Harsh, abusive language

directed against a person (or possibly an organization) or cause.

Invective is a tool of anger.Invective is the most bitter of all

Satire.

Sarcasm…

A sharply mocking or contemptuous remark in speech or a text.

Origins: Greek—“sarkazein,” meaning “to tear flesh”

Knaves and Fools…In this type of comedy, there are no

villains and no innocent victims. Instead there are rogues (knaves) and suckers (fools).

The knave exploits someone who is “asking for it.”

When these two (Knaves and Fools) interact, comic satire results.

When Knaves and Fools meet, they expose each other for who they are.

MalapropismA deliberate mispronunciation of a

name or term with the intent of poking fun at it.

"Be sure and put some of those neutrons

on it."   Mike Smith, ordering a salad 

"It's got lots of installation."   Mike Smith, describing his new coat

Satirical Target The figure or group at the center of a

satirical piece is called the Satirical Target The satiric commentary is aimed at that

individual or group. The target may or may not be

immediately or overtly observable by the audience, and may require specific knowledge on the part of the audience in order to understand/receive the satirical meaning.

The type of Satire will determine how the satirical target is treated.