Jump Start AssignmentRead “A Modest Proposal”

Respond in your journal:What is the problem Swift is

addressing?What is his solution?Do you agree with his compromise?

Why or why not?

Satire “A work or manner that blends a

censorious attitude with humor and wit for improving human institutions or humanity.”

-Harmon and Holman

Today, forms of satire can be literary (books, essays, stories, i.e. the printed word), but also

cartoons, songs, and the performing arts.

Examples of SatireThe Simpsons:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7L2fsubA2-c

I Heart Huckabeeshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_i8-t5biK10

Social Commentary

Social Change

Satire uses irony: the recognition of a reality

different than appearance.

Verbal Irony: the actual intent of words is the opposite of overt meaning

Situational Irony: Because of the context of an event the event is the opposite of what would be expected.

Dramatic Irony: inherent in speeches or a situation but not grasped by characters in the play

Juvenalian Satire

Named after Roman satirist JuvenalContemptuous and abrasiveAddresses social evil through

scorn, outrage, and savage ridicule Pessimistic and sarcastic

Juvenalian Satire, Continued.

“All animals are equal but some are more equal than others.”

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray BradburyAmerican Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis1984 and Animal Farm by George OrwellA Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift Catch 22 by Joseph HellerBrave New World by Aldous Huxley

HoratianGentle, mild, and light-hearted

humorDirects wit, exaggeration, self-

deprecating humor toward what it identifies as “folly”, rather than evilFolly = foolish, lacking common

sense

The Simpsons by Matt Groening

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

ExaggerationEnlarge, increase, or

represent something beyond normal bounds so it becomes ridiculous

Caricature is an exaggeration of physical features/traits

Cartoons commonly use exaggeration

IncongruityTo present things that are out of place or are

absurd in relation to its surroundings. Particular techniques include oxymoron, metaphor, and irony.

Parody (Spoof, take-off, burlesque)

Imitation of techniques and/or style of some person, place, or thing in order to ridicule the original.

Use wit to imitate style of a work/individual

Must know original text that is being ridiculed in order for parody to be successful.

Example of ParodyMumford and Sons

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rId6PKlDXeU

What makes satire satire?Social commentary. That is, the writer

ridicules or pokes fun at certain aspects of society he or she finds

repugnant in hopes of changing it.

Targets? The Usual Suspects.Vanity, hypocrisy, religion, bigotry, human

vices, sentimentality, greed, celebrity worship, materialism, hubris, dumbing

down of education, snobbery, foolishness, cruelty, insensitivity, laziness.

Advantages of SatireMost miss author’s true

intent; therefore, censors don’t “get it” and author stays out of prison

Nice change from “preachiness” of other approaches to reform

“Stealth” weapon useful when taking an unpopular stance in repressive society

Short and punchy

“We Just Fooled The Chinese Gov’t”

http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/27/world/asia/north-korea-china-onion/index.html

Identify the Style of Satirehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

0fkjZSb0J_E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PV1cpjdOGnQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAlWrT5P2VI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEG66-Lro7U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9JIKngJnCU

Jonathan Swift: Famous Satirist

Politically active writer in England and Ireland

Exiled to Ireland after offending the Queen with one of his publications advising her which bedchamber ladies she could trust

Author of Gulliver’s Travels, known as one of the greatest and most sophisticated works of satire