Satire

Honors American Literature

Satire: Definitions
Satire is like a mirror in which [a man]
sees everyones face but [his] own.
~Jonathan Swift
Satire is a literary genre that uses irony,
wit and sometimes sarcasm, to expose
humanitys foibles giving impetus to
changes through ridicule. The author of a
satire reduces the vaulted worth of
something to its real- decidedly lowerworth.

Characteristics of Satire
SATIRE IS NOT COMEDY, which just seeks to
entertain or amuse. Satire, while implicitly
humorous, has a moral purpose.
1. Moral lesson
2. Funny
3. Shared community standard of
correct behavior (which begets the
humor!)
The goal of satire is not just to abuse, but rather, to
provoke change or reform.

Two Types of Satire: Horation and

Juvenalian
Horatian satire--After the Roman satirist
Horace: Playfully criticizes with wit,
exaggeration, gentle and light hearted humor.
Issues being critized are viewed as folly rather
than evil to society and are meant to make
us laugh.
Looking to make people laugh at themselves
rather than looking for changes to occur.
The Simpsons: Magical Animal

Two Types of Satire: Horation and

Juvenalian
Juvenalian satire -- After the Roman satirist
Juvenal: Criticizes social evils or corruption
through scorn, outrage, and savage ridicule.
More often pessimistic using sharp sarcasm
to criticize social issues.
Generally related to
political satires.
Focuses on morality.

American Psycho: Business Card

Techniques &
Characteristics

Irony
Oxymoron
Sarcasm
Hyperbole
Understatement
Juxtaposition
Parody
Double Entendres
Colloquialism

Verbal Irony
When a person says or writes one
thing but means another.
What ever is said/written is the
opposite of the literal meaning.
Produced intentionally by the person
speaking/writing. (Ex: saying Im not
mad in a tone that is obvious to the
contrary.) I'm Not Mad
Nice Day

Situational Irony
In literature or drama where persons
or events come together in
improbable situations and create
tension between expected and real
results.
Family Guy

Dramatic Irony
The reader/viewer knows something
secret/important that the characters
dont. Can be about the past,
present, or future.
Shakespeare is king
of dramatic irony.
Romeo and Juliet

Oxymoron
Figure of speech that combines
contradictory words or phrases.
Usually an adjective noun
combination
Some oxymorons are incorrect but
established to suggest a joke (Ex.
Business Ethics or Military
Intelligence).

Sarcasm
Sharp, bitter, or cutting expression or
remark, shown through irony or
understatement.
Witty comments caused to amuse or
make a point. Sarcasm is also used
to ridicule or cause someone
embarrassment or pain.

Mr. Show - angry letter

Hyperbole/Exaggeration
An extreme exaggeration used to
make a point.

Wolrd's Best Cup of Coffee

Understatement
The opposite of hyperbole. This is
when a speaker makes a serious
problem seem inconsequential.
Diminishes the event in order to
make the audience take notice.

Monty Python: "Tis but a scratch."

Juxtaposition
Placement of two things (usually
abstract but sometimes physical
objects) near each other.
Used to compare and contrast two
items in one setting or work of
literature to add emphasis in one
way or another.

Parody
Something created in order to mock,
comment on, or trivialize a certain
author, subject matter or some other
issue in a humorous manner. Darth Vader
Vs.

Dark Helmet

Double Entendres/Pun
A figure of speech in which a phrase
or set of words is meant to be
viewed/understood in two different
ways, with the first being obvious
and the second being less so and
often risqu.

Ikea Puns

Colloquialism
Words or phrases used in conventional language.
Generally used in geographical locations.
Colloquialism in literature helps portray the
setting, convey the character, and make the text
feel more real.
This is not slang, which is
generally used
only by
certain groups of people.
(Teens in the 1960s
saying Groovy)
Ex: Soda vs. Pop
Boston colloquialisms

Its Almost As If Rite Aid Cashier Doesnt Care

About Reputation Of Rite Aid Corporation

PEORIA, ILCiting the mans wrinkled uniform and detached attitude,

Rite Aid patrons surmised Thursday that, if appearances could be
believed, it would almost seem as though cashier Gabriel Morales was
wholly unconcerned with the reputation and overall corporate health of
the third largest retail pharmacy chain in the United States. I dont want
to jump to conclusions here, but his body language and general behavior
might nearly imply that he has little or no regard for the history of the
Rite Aid corporation and the image that it wants to project to the world,
said pharmacy customer Michael Valetta of the 39-year-old Rite Aid
employee, noting that Morales nonexistent greeting, slow response
time, and general air of indifference all but pointed to the conclusion
that he perhaps did not see himself as a representative of the Rite Aid
brand who has been tasked with upholding that companys sense of
tradition and character. Honestly, if I didnt know any better, Id say he
was just treating this job ashow should I put thiswell, almost like it
were any other minimum wage retail job rather than an esteemed
From: The Onion 11/14/13
position at one of Americas most beloved, time-honored companies.
At

What You Should Ask

Yourself
Is all the information in the text true?
What point is the author trying to
make?
What serious problem is the author
trying to bring to light?
What techniques does the author
employ to make his point?