SatireSatireIts habit is to tell the Its habit is to tell the truth with assurance truth with assurance and detachment of and detachment of

ridicule. ridicule.

It criticizes humanity It criticizes humanity in order to improve it.in order to improve it.

Objectives of the Satirist:Objectives of the Satirist:

The passion for order and justiceThe passion for order and justiceTo keep the public conscience alertTo keep the public conscience alertTo expose absurdity for what it isTo expose absurdity for what it isTo point out the inclination of foolishness To point out the inclination of foolishness and tastelessnessand tastelessnessTo show vice its own features (make To show vice its own features (make people look at themselves in the mirror!)people look at themselves in the mirror!)To point out unpopular truthsTo point out unpopular truths

Ridicule v. SatireRidicule v. SatireThere is a difference between There is a difference between

ridicule and satire: ridicule and satire: -Ridicule is an EMOTIONAL, -Ridicule is an EMOTIONAL,

NEUROTIC NEUROTIC EXPLOSION…EXPLOSION…

- Whereas satire is an - Whereas satire is an INTELLECTUAL INTELLECTUAL EXERCISE and an artfully EXERCISE and an artfully developed assault on a developed assault on a topic or idea. topic or idea.

When to write a satirical piece…When to write a satirical piece…One should have a very complete One should have a very complete knowledge of a subject before attempting knowledge of a subject before attempting to satirize it. to satirize it. ……and that subject should be worthy of and that subject should be worthy of satire. satire.

Examples you might know…Examples you might know…

Saturday Night LiveSaturday Night LivePolitical Satire (Leno, Letterman)Political Satire (Leno, Letterman)Mad Magazine, In Living Color (before Mad Magazine, In Living Color (before your time…)your time…)The SimpsonsThe Simpsons

A Successful SatiristA Successful SatiristA successful satirist cannot just be angry A successful satirist cannot just be angry because satire requires “wit.” because satire requires “wit.” A retired old man in Florida that sits on a A retired old man in Florida that sits on a bench and complains about the government bench and complains about the government all day is not employing satire. Nor is the all day is not employing satire. Nor is the pamphleteer, who attacks government, or pamphleteer, who attacks government, or big business, or pollution, or any other big business, or pollution, or any other subject that could be suitable for satire. subject that could be suitable for satire. What they all miss is What they all miss is humorhumor, , imaginationimagination, , and and witwit. .

Satire’s AudienceSatire’s Audience

Satire is not nice. If you are concerned about Satire is not nice. If you are concerned about hurting someone’s feelings, then satire is hurting someone’s feelings, then satire is probably not for you. probably not for you. And the most angry person you will ever meet is And the most angry person you will ever meet is the person who reads a satire and believes it to the person who reads a satire and believes it to be literally true. be literally true. Satire is wasted on fools and lost on knaves. Satire is wasted on fools and lost on knaves. Its audience tends to be small due to the Its audience tends to be small due to the intellect and wit needed to comprehend its intellect and wit needed to comprehend its purposes. purposes.

The SatiristThe SatiristSatirists make fun of Satirists make fun of foolish people and their foolish people and their ridiculous institutions. ridiculous institutions. They attack the They attack the weaknesses and follies of weaknesses and follies of mankind. mankind. While the satirist might While the satirist might seem vicious or cruel, the seem vicious or cruel, the skilled satirist will also skilled satirist will also have the ability to laugh at have the ability to laugh at himself. himself.

Satire MUSTSSatire MUSTS

A successful satire must always deal A successful satire must always deal with the truth. with the truth. If it is not true, the satire will not work, If it is not true, the satire will not work, nor will there be humor. nor will there be humor.

““A Modest Proposal”A Modest Proposal”by J. Swiftby J. Swift

Describes the problem (poverty)Describes the problem (poverty)Presents a solution (eating babies)Presents a solution (eating babies)Rationalizes the solution (will improve the Rationalizes the solution (will improve the economy)economy)““Dismisses” other rational proposals (things Dismisses” other rational proposals (things that would actually work…thereby indirectly that would actually work…thereby indirectly making his point)making his point)Uses exaggeration, shock value, Uses exaggeration, shock value, understatement, verbal ironyunderstatement, verbal irony