satire

Satire

Pronunciation: (sat-ahyuh r) n

To hear the term spoken: http://mw1.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/satire

Definition: A work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for a reform or ridicule. Regardless of whether or not the work aims to reform human behavior, satire is best seen as a style of writing rather than a purpose for writing. It can be recognized by the many devices used effectively by the satirist: irony, wit, parody, caricature, hyperbole, understatement, and sarcasm. The effects of satire are varied, depending on the writer’s goal, but good satire, often humorous, is thought provoking and insightful about the human condition. Some modern satirists include Joseph Heller (Catch 22) and Kurt Vonnegut (Cat’s Cradle, Player Piano).

Examples: • “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” - Animal Farm

Analysis: This is satire about how humans treat each other. It is a humorous way of criticizing how people can suppress one another thinking that they are better humans than others.

• “Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them.” - Catch 22

Analysis: This saying is satire that reflects that some humans are mediocre because some people don’t try these days. The author changed a great quote and made it more humorous by saying men achieve mediocrity instead of them achieving greatness.

• “One of the few good things about modern times: If you die horribly on television, you will not have died in vain. You will have entertained us.” -“Cold Turkey”

Analysis: This quote is satire because the author is making fun of how people are glued to their televisions and even the stories on the news would entertain people. It is saying in a satirical way that humans are getting less emotional from watching all the bad things happen on television.



References: • "satire." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 25 Sep. 2007. .

• "Satire." Merrian-Webster Online. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. 25 Sept. 2007 .

• "Quotations by Author Joseph Heller." The Quotations Page. 27 Sept. 2007 .

• "Quotations by Author Kurt Vonnegut." The Quotations Page. 27 Sept. 2007 .


 * J. Johnston