Satire

AP Language and Composition

 Satire: Definitions
 “Satire is like a mirror in which [a man] sees
everyone’s face but [his] own.”
~Jonathan Swift
 Satire is a literary genre that uses irony, wit
and sometimes sarcasm, to expose humanity’s
foibles giving impetus to changes through
ridicule. The author of a satire reduces the
vaulted worth of something to its real-
decidedly lower- worth.
 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:
Horatian 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 “I’m 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 don’t.
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 risqué.
• 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 1960’s
saying “Groovy”)
• Ex: Soda vs. Pop
• Boston colloquialisms
 It’s Almost As If Rite Aid
Cashier Doesn’t Care
About Reputation Of Rite
Aid Corporation
PEORIA, IL—Citing the man’s 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 don’t
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 company’s sense of tradition and character. “Honestly, if I didn’t know
any better, I’d say he was just treating this job as—how should I put this—well, almost like
it were any other minimum wage retail job rather than an esteemed position at one of
America’s most beloved, time-honored companies.” At press time, customers were baffled
to note Morales smoking outside of the store while on a break, as though he wasn’t the
public face of the country’s premier purveyor of pharmacy, health, and wellness services.
From: The Onion 11/14/13
 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?