devices of satire. magna-soles v. gravity defyer: finding the perfect shoe… what is real? what is...

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Devices of Satire Devices of Satire

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Devices of SatireDevices of Satire

Magna-Soles v. Gravity Defyer:

Finding the perfect shoe…

What is real? What is false?

…and what’s the point?what’s the point?

Definition of “satire”:

Writing that ridicules or criticizes Writing that ridicules or criticizes individuals, ideas, institutions, social individuals, ideas, institutions, social conventions, or other works of art or conventions, or other works of art or

literature.literature. The writer of a satire, the satirist, may use a tolerant, sympathetic

tone or an angry, bitter tone.

Characteristics of SatireCharacteristics of Satire

•Concerned with ethical reformethical reform, attacking those institutions or individuals the satirist deems corrupt.

•Makes problems laughable to bringlaughable to bring

social pressuresocial pressure on those who continue to engage in the corruption

•Seeks reform, heightened standards reform, heightened standards for behavior/policyfor behavior/policy,, or, at least, to bring

a wake-up callwake-up call to an otherwise obliviously corrupt society.

(more) Characteristics of Satire (more) Characteristics of Satire

•Not a sermon: message is implicitNot a sermon: message is implicit and assumes readers who can pick up on subtle moral cues (how does this impact argumentative effectiveness?)

•Witty, ironic,Witty, ironic, and often exaggerated;often exaggerated; uses extremesextremes to make a point

•Generally attacks attacks typestypes--- the fool, the proud, the vulnerable, the greedy– rather than individuals

•If individuals If individuals areare attacked attacked, the message is usually to warn the publicwarn the public against approvingagainst approving this person (as opposed to…?)

Two Types of Satire

Horatian:Horatian: Gentle, witty, dry; named for Roman satirist, Horace

Juvenalian:Juvenalian: harsh, bitter, condemning, indignant; named for Roman satirist, Juvenal

Context:

Featured in the computer magazine PC Zone in response to popular criticism of the game “Tomb Raider” as promoting violence toward animals.

iPhone 5

Devices of Satire (key terms)Devices of Satire (key terms)

Absurdity:Absurdity: something that seems like it would never happen, but could (example: adolescents in The Giver are administered medication to control “the stirrings”)

Exaggeration, overstatement, or hyperboleExaggeration, overstatement, or hyperbole Something that does happen but is exaggerated to absurd lengths; most common type of satire (example: caricature; see first image)

Understatement:Understatement: An incomplete or less-than-true statement; sarcasm that aims to evoke change

Parody: Parody: a mocking imitation, often of a literary work (example: Monty Python is a parody of chivalrous, Arthurian literature/film)

Devices of Satire (more key terms)Devices of Satire (more key terms)

Pun : Pun : A play on words that are identical or similar in sound but have sharply different meanings (example: The Importance of Being Earnest (“earnest” as a quality and Earnest as a character name)

Irony:Irony: Conveying the opposite of what is expected (Alanis Morisette and The "Irony" Debate)

Denotation v. Connotation:Denotation v. Connotation: Denotation is the dictionary definition of a word; connotation is the positive or negative association we make with a word

Metonymy: Metonymy: Designation of one thing with something closely associated with it (example: calling old people “grays” or calling a queen “the crown”)

Devices of Satire (more key terms)Devices of Satire (more key terms)

Oxymoron: Oxymoron: A rhetorical antithesis which juxtaposes two contradictory terms (example: “wise fool” or “deafening silence”) YouTube on Oxymorons

Synechdoche:Synechdoche: Using part of something to designate its whole (“threads” or “wheels”))

Ambiguity:Ambiguity: A situation which can be interpreted in one of (usually just) two ways. (example: Q: “Should I turn left? Or… I should turn right, shouldn’t I?” A: “Right.”)

Paradox: Paradox: A seemingly contradictory statement or situation which is actually true. (example: unity means exclusion)

Image #1:

Comedian Charlie Chaplin (WWII, before U.S.

involvement)

Image #2