Satire Notes And Video Notes

Satire Notes

Satire Notes

Characteristics of Satire:

1. It is topical, referring to its time and place

2. It claims to be realistic, although it is usually distorted or exaggerated

3. It is shocking

4. It is informal in tone and manner

5. It is funny, although sometimes it can be painful or grotesque

Types of Satirists:

1. The first believes that people are essential good, but misguided. With some education (given

by the satirist) they can be educated and change.

2. The second believes that people are generally stupid and bad. People can’t learn and writing

the satire is just an emotional release on the part of the satirist.

Types of Satire:

1. Flash in the pan – Stories that are quick to flame up and quick to go away in the news

2. Long term – This satiric form last for a few months or years. The stories may be

different, but they involves the same players, like in a presidential administration

3. General Satires – These types of satires can last for years or have no end set point. For

example a satire that’s really about the way the media responds to Breaking News by

exploring leaves falling in autumn. The humor comes from the tone. In the case of the

example, a heightened tone of alarm for the normal event of leaves falling in autumn

Elements (Raw Writing Materials) of Satire:

1. Quotes (Mix of real and fake. Sometimes all fake)

2. Real sounding names (Can be a mix of real and fake)

3. Wo/man on the street

a. This gives insight into the mind of the satirist. If the wo/man on the street gives

reasonable, thoughtful quotes then the satirist is generally optimistic. If the satirist

presents the wo/man on the street as silly and uninformed they are generally

pessimistic

4. Images with description (Sometimes real photos with captions, sometimes Photoshopped

images. The level of Photoshop quality varies)

5. Bar charts, pie graphs, etc. (generally with all fake information)

6. Fake statistics or numbers

Goal of Satire:

1. The goal of satire is to bring attention to an issue that people want to ignore or highlight an

event or fact that people are not aware exists

2. Comedy seeks to entertain, but doesn’t necessarily have a goal beyond entertainment. Satire

has a goal (see above) and uses humor as a mechanism to get to that goal

“A Modest Proposal” Notes

Jonathan Swift

-The satire “A Modest Proposal” was written in 1729 in London, England

-Swift was raised in England, but born in Ireland. Ireland was held by England and there was

rampant poverty, blight, and starvation that the English government was ignoring. This was referred

to as “The Irish Problem” (overpopulation, poverty, hunger, starvation)

-Swift – presented as the voice of a national hero and wanted to solve this problem

-Purpose: To bring attention to the issues of Irish famine, poverty, death, religious differences with the

English, and class/economic disputes (Wealthy English people were taking over Irish lands and

farms)

-The topics covered in “The Modest Proposal” remain relevant today because none of those large issues have been “solved” or might ever be solved by societies

Questions for “A Modest Proposal”

1.  What sort of persona does Swift create for the “author” of “A Modest Proposal”?

Presented as the voice of a national hero and wanted to solve this problem


2. When did it first become apparent to you that Swift's proposal was not serious (cite the specific piece of text)? How did you respond to his idea?  If this did not become apparent to you, go back to the passage again.

At the end of the fourth paragraph, Swift’s proposal begins to sound exaggerated and not serious where he says, “they shall on the contrary contribute to the feeding, and partly to the clothing, of many thousands”. I responded to this idea in a laugh because he directly compares the people to that of livestock, using them as a resource. This exaggerated claim makes it obvious he’s mocking the situation for the rich people

 

3. What is Swift’s proposal?  After his initial suggestion, what does he further propose?

  1. Swift’s proposal is to use people as resources like food and clothing

  2. He proposes eating children at different cooking levels and applies fake statistics to back up his claim because the English have already stolen the parent’s food and livelihood. So they might as well kill them. He then proposes making clothes of them

 

4. What relevance does “A Modest Proposal”  have for contemporary social and political issues? Can you think of historical situations that pose similar problems about ends and means?

It’s relevance in bringing attention to issues of famine, poverty, death, class/economic disputes, and abortion. Even though this referred to the Irish famine and problems, these are still modern like abortion issues. Similar historical situations are like that of the industrial revolution where the rich abuse their power and the poor people feel their effect, which still somewhat is prevalent today.

How to analyze satire:

  • Identify the Target: Determine what or who the satire is mocking. It could be a person, social practice, institution, or a societal flaw.

  • Understand the Tone: Satire often uses irony, sarcasm, and exaggeration. Look for these elements to grasp the underlying tone.

  • Context Matters: Knowing the historical, cultural, and social context can help you understand the satirical message.

  • Literary Techniques: Pay attention to literary devices such as parody, hyperbole, and understatement that are used to enhance the satirical effect.

  • Purpose and Message: Determine the author’s intent. Is it to provoke thought, criticize, or entertain?

"What is Irony?": A Literary Guide for English Students and Teachers

Transition from Childhood to Adulthood

  • As individuals grow, they become aware that things and people are not always as they seem.

  • This awareness can lead to humor but can also create feelings of confusion and anxiety.

  • Children prefer a straightforward reality; adults often embrace the complexities and contradictions of life.

  • Irony is a pervasive element in the experiences of adulthood.

Understanding Irony

  • Definition of Irony: It arises when what a person says or does differs from what is expected.

  • Irony can manifest in multiple forms, especially in literature, including:

    • Verbal Irony

    • Dramatic Irony

    • Situational Irony

Verbal Irony

  • Description: Occurs when a speaker’s intended meaning differs from the literal meaning of their words.

  • Example: Use of internet memes that demonstrate discrepancies in words.

  • Literature Example: Edgar Allan Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado.

    • Plot Overview: Montresor lures Fortunato into the catacombs under false pretenses, specifically beneath his house by appearing to ask him for advice on a recent wine purchase, to enact revenge by murdering him by walling him up in the catacombs.

    • Context

      • Montresor: The Narrator

      • Fortunato: The unsuspecting victim who is intoxicated and oblivious to Montresor's true intentions. AKA his prey.

      • Irony: The use of language that normally signifies the opposite, often for humorous or emphatic effect, which is exemplified in Montresor's deceptive manipulation of Fortunato's trust.

    • Specific Instance of Verbal Irony:

      • Montresor's false concern for Fortunato’s health during a coughing fit is a façade.

      • The irony is stripped from their conversation when remembering Montresor's true intention (murder).

Dramatic Irony

  • Description: When the audience knows something that a character does not, leading to differing perceptions of a situation.

  • In The Cask of Amontillado, the audience knows Montresor's true intentions while Fortunato does not.

  • Impact: The enjoyment is derived from the contrast between the reader's understanding and Fortunato's naivete.

    • We understand Fortunato is going to die, but he doesn’t even know its a trap.

Situational Irony

  • Description: Occurs when actions have an opposite effect from what is intended.

  • In the story, Montresor’s plan involves tricking Fortunato into understanding why he deserves punishment, yet he gets him drunk instead.

  • Key Example: Montresor claims his plot will succeed if Fortunato understands why he must die. However, Fortunato remains oblivious to the full implications until it’s too late.

    • His actions don’t support his claim as he offers him too many sips of win, getting him drunk.

  • Conclusion: Montresor carries out the murder successfully but the true irony lies in his uncertain grasp of the situation's outcome.

    • Montresor wants to cover the situational irony of the situation with his triumph.

Conclusion

  • The exploration of irony in The Cask of Amontillado delves deep into the complexities of human perception and intention.

  • The layers of irony challenge readers to understand not only the characters’ motives but also the deceptive nature of appearances.

What is Satire?: A Literary Guide for English Students and Teachers

"What is Satire?": A Literary Guide for English Students and Teachers

Professor Evan Gottlieb explores the concept of satire, its historical roots, and its various forms—Horatian, Juvenalian, and Menippean. He provides examples of each type and discusses the importance of context and audience reception in interpreting satire. The video aims to enhance understanding for English students and teachers.

Key Points:

Definition of Satire

Satire is defined as the art of making someone or something look ridiculous, aiming to raise laughter to embarrass or discredit its targets. It has a long-standing history as a literary genre, stemming from the Latin word 'satura,' which means 'full' and suggests a diversity of subjects.

Horatian Satire

Horatian satire is characterized by its good-natured and light-hearted approach, aiming to encourage moral improvement through laughter. Examples include Alexander Pope’s 'The Rape of the Lock' and various skits from 'Saturday Night Live,' which satirize public figures in a gentle manner.

Juvenalian Satire

Juvenalian satire is often bitter and dark, expressing a stronger, more outraged tone regarding societal issues. Jonathan Swift's 'A Modest Proposal' serves as a paramount example, where Swift sarcastically proposes a shocking solution to Irish poverty, critiquing the exploitation by English landlords.

Menippean Satire

Menippean satire combines a variety of themes and focuses on a broader comedic approach, often eschewing a linear plot. Laurence Sterne’s 'Tristram Shandy' exemplifies this form, as it portrays modern life's absurdities through its digressive narrative structure.

Context Dependence of Satire

Satire is highly context-dependent and must target a larger or more powerful entity than the author to be effective. For instance, misinterpretations of David Fincher’s 'Fight Club' highlight the risks of satire being perceived literally, demonstrating the need for audience recognition of the satirical intent.