Satire

We have been studying the concept of **satire** in the context of reading "A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift.

[You can read the entire text of "A Modest Proposal" here: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1080 ]

The three literary devices that we have discussed in the context of satire: 1. hyperbole (exaggeration) 2. understatement 3. sarcasm

Another element you might find in satire is irony. We didn't discuss it in the context of "A Modest Proposal" but it can be seen.

As we know though, these three literary devices do not a piece of satire make. Not all writing that has exaggeration, understatement, and sarcasm necessarily qualify as satire.

Dictionary.com defines satire as:

"sat·ire
 / ˈsætaɪər /    –noun 1. the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, in exposing, denouncing, or deriding [|vice], folly, etc. 2. a literary composition, in verse or prose, in which human folly and vice are held up to scorn, derision, or ridicule. 3. a literary genre comprising such compositions."

Students seem to be confusing satire with parody.

Parody is a mimicry or copying with the intent to make fun of a well-known idea or project or person. Think of what Weird Al does...total parody.

Satire is more complicated in that it takes apart an idea and points out its flaws with irony, sarcasm, wit...with the intent of persuading the audience to think a particular way or to do something as a result.

[You can see more about the difference between satire and parody at http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-difference-between-a-parody-and-satire.htm .]

The best way to figure this out is to look at some examples.

So...you decide...is it satire or is it parody???

media type="youtube" key="yBAYiBoy43M" width="425" height="350"

media type="youtube" key="XdF6AfeBlH0" width="425" height="350"

media type="youtube" key="ksJvEH-R_ew" width="425" height="350"

media type="youtube" key="KNbPnqyvItk" width="425" height="350"