Satire

Literature with a Sense of Humor

“Word Crimes” by Weird Al

As we listen to “Word Crimes”: ❖ Identify elements of satire. ❖ Record examples in your notes.

❖ Think about the singer’s purpose.

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What is Weird Al suggesting about peoples’ adherence to and knowledge of grammar?

Are there other issues?

What does he hope to achieve?

What song is this a parody of?

What is satire?

• (n.) The use of mockery, irony, humor, and/or wit to attack or ridicule something, such as a person, habit, idea, institution, society, or custom that is, or is considered to be, foolish, flawed, or wrong. • The aim of satire is, or should be, to improve human institutions and/or humanity. • Satire attempts, through humor and laughter, to inspire individuals, institutions, and humankind to improve or to encourage its readers to put pressure on individuals and institutions so that they may be improved for the benefit of all.

Elements of Satire

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Parody Invective Puns ○ Double Entendre Parable/Allegory Wit Situational Irony Verbal Irony ○ Sarcasm Absurdity Litote Distortion ○ Incongruity/Anachronism ○ Reversal ○ Juxtaposition ○ Exaggeration/Hyperbole

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Parody

○ ○ ○ ○ Is the imitation of techniques or style of a well-known and sometimes revered person, place, or thing.

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SNL

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The Simpsons Mad TV The Daily Show The Colbert Report Family Guy The Onion

Invective

● A speech that criticizes someone or something fluently and at length. This technique may also be called a diatribe or rant

Puns

● ● ● Also called malapropisms Any construction capable of conveying a double meaning is likely to be employed in satire, since multiple meanings form the basis of much of satire.

The list: something highly important or even sacred may be included in a long list of mundane and ordinary objects in order to highlight the fact that an individual, institution, or society has lost its sense of proportion

Double Entendre/ Innuendo

● ● A play on words A word or expression capable of two interpretations with one usually risqué ○ ○ Iraqi Head Seeks Arms Cross-Eyed Johnny: “Your hands are dirty.”

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Parable/Allegory

Have the same benefits as simile and metaphor, for they can conduct a prolonged discussion on two levels of meaning while at the same time inherently comparing and contrasting those levels without further comment.

They also provide the author with some defense if the subject is dangerous, for the satirist can protest that he/she was writing only on the literal level. Famous examples of this technique are Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift and Animal Farm by George Orwell

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Wit

Is a quality of speech or writing that combines verbal cleverness with keen perception, especially of the incongruous. To be witty, one must also have a knack for timeliness.

In conversation you might hear: ○ ○ He is noted for his wit; he's always an amusing companion.

She has a very sharp wit; if you aren't careful, you'll find yourself laughing aloud at the wrong moments!

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Situational Irony

Occurs when what actually happens is exactly the opposite of what is expected or appropriate.

Example in Literature: ○ ○ In Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour,” Mrs. Mallard’s reaction to her husband’s death is an example of situational irony.

Example from Life: A man, who takes a step aside in order to avoid getting hit by a sprinkler, falls into a swimming pool.

Verbal Irony

● ● ● Is written dialogue or speech that says one thing but really means the

opposite.

Verbal Irony intentionally suggests the opposite despite its outcome, whereas, sarcasm intends to reveal bitterness or even rage.

Sarcasm

Sarcasm

● ● ● Is a common type of verbal irony in the form of a cutting, often mean-spirited remark. It intends to wound.

In A Glossary of Literary Terms, M. H. Abrams, defines sarcasm as, “the crude and taunting use of apparent praise for dispraise: ‘Look at the big brain on Brad!’” Etymology: from Greek sarkasmos, from sarkazein to tear flesh, bite the lips in rage, sneer, from sark-, sarx flesh

Absurdity

● ● Is the state of being utterly or obviously senseless, illogical, or untrue; contrary to all reason or common sense; laughably foolish or false. When I say things like, “We need clear exit routes in case rabid seagulls invade our classroom.” ○ ○ How is this an absurd statement? Watch this video and identify elements of absurdity:

Litotes: Understatement

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Understatement: saying less than what is really meant.

Saying "It's a bit wet out there" during a flood.

Distortion

● Twisting or emphasizing some aspect of a condition, individual, or event in order to highlight part of it

TYPES OF DISTORTION:

● Incongruity/ ● Anachronism ● Reversal ● Juxtaposition ● Exaggeration

Incongruity

● ● The presentation of things that are out of place or are absurd in relation to their surroundings Anachronism: taking something out of its context of origin

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Reversal

To present the opposite of the normal order ○ e.g. the order of events, hierarchical order ○ Damsel in Distress becomes the Savior

Juxtaposition

● An act or instance of placing close together or side by side, esp. for comparison or contrast

Exaggeration

● ● ● Is the representation of something beyond normal bounds so that it becomes ridiculous and its faults can be seen Hyperbole [hahy-pur-buh-lee] ○ ○ Obvious and intentional exaggeration. An extravagant statement or figure of speech not intended to be taken literally, as “to wait an eternity.” Origin of hyperbole: Latin, from Greek hyperbolē excess, hyperbole, hyperbola, from hyperballein to exceed, from hyper- +

ballein to throw more at

Exaggeration

● ● Exaggerate body parts and facial features of the subject What features are exaggerated in the following pictures?

Vices and Follies

● ● Vice (n): any kind of anti-social behavior from moral depravity and corruption (ex. prostitution) to a habitual and trivial defect or shortcoming (ex. nose-picking). Because it covers everything from outright wickedness to petty foibles, almost all humans suffer from some kind of vice; thus, the satirist is never at a loss for material.

Folly (n): a lack of common sense, prudence, and foresight. (ex. The folly of man is that he doesn’t understand that history repeats). “Folly” and “fool” come from the same French medieval root, fol. The good satirist knows that everyone, even the satirist himself, in time will do something really stupid.

The Seven Deadly Sins

1. Pride, arrogance, hubris 2. Avarice (greed) 3. Wrath (anger, violence, sullenness, sulking) 4. Sloth (laziness, indolence, slovenliness, sloppiness) 5. Lust 6. Envy 7. Gluttony (excessive love of material comforts, food, drink, etc.)

Other Vices and Follies

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Stupidity Gullibility Poor decision making Short-sightedness Narrow mindedness Intolerance/prejudice Pettiness Careless use of language Lack of self control Indecisiveness Shallow flirtatiousness Vanity/conceit/egoism Self-centeredness Apathy ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Vice Wastefulness Hypocrisy Careless spending Dishonesty Irresponsibility Excess of any kind Willful ignorance Timidity Prudery Crime Boorishness Rudeness Gross conduct

In Politics and Government

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Warmongering Unnecessary taxation and spending Nepotism/favoritism Poor handling of crises and disasters Misuse of power Inappropriate or immoral conduct of leaders Injustice Human rights violations

In Institutions and Businesses

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Inefficiency Lack of effectiveness Bad management Poor workmanship Mendacity (lying) False advertising Bad products Inhumanity Greed Immorality Exploitation of workers Bad environmental impact

Listen Quietly As I Read

● ● An example of the satire of fairy tales at its finest Story time! ☺

Where Fairy Tales and Satire Collide: Analyzing

Shrek

Clip #1

● As you view the clip, identify and write in your notes: ○the vices, follies, and fairy tale elements that are satirized in the clip and ○the elements of satire used to address the above topics

Where Fairy Tales and Satire Collide: Analyzing

Shrek

Clip #2

● As you view the clip, identify and write in your notes: ○the vices, follies, and fairy tale elements that are satirized in the clip and ○the elements of satire used to address the above topics

Where Fairy Tales and Satire Collide: Analyzing

Shrek

Clip #3

● As you view the clip, identify and write in your notes: ○the vices, follies, and fairy tale elements that are satirized in the clip and ○the elements of satire used to address the above topics

Where Fairy Tales and Satire Collide: Analyzing

Shrek

Clip #4

● As you view the clip, identify and write in your notes: ○the vices, follies, and fairy tale elements that are satirized in the clip and ○the elements of satire used to address the above topics

Where Fairy Tales and Satire Collide: Analyzing

Shrek

Clip #5

● As you view the clip, identify and write in your notes: ○the vices, follies, and fairy tale elements that are satirized in the clip and ○the elements of satire used to address the above topics

Where Fairy Tales and Satire Collide: Analyzing

Shrek

Clip #6

● As you view the clip, identify and write in your notes: ○the vices, follies, and fairy tale elements that are satirized in the clip and ○the elements of satire used to address the above topics

Where Fairy Tales and Satire Collide: Analyzing

Shrek

Clip #7

● As you view the clip, identify and write in your notes: ○the vices, follies, and fairy tale elements that are satirized in the clip and ○the elements of satire used to address the above topics

Where Fairy Tales and Satire Collide: Analyzing

Shrek

Clip #8

● As you view the clip, identify and write in your notes: ○the vices, follies, and fairy tale elements that are satirized in the clip and ○the elements of satire used to address the above topics