SatireSatire

Poking fun at human foils and silly Poking fun at human foils and silly behaviors in hopes of bringing about behaviors in hopes of bringing about

a change.a change.

THE DAILY SHOWJON STEWART

Implications for SatireImplications for Satire

. “One must get out of the habit of measuring . “One must get out of the habit of measuring man against an ideal.” Einsteinman against an ideal.” Einstein

Northrup Frye on SatireNorthrup Frye on Satire

Satire must have a degree of fantasy [because Satire must have a degree of fantasy [because the author is selecting absurdities to satirize, the author is selecting absurdities to satirize, realism is distorted. If irony is portrayed in a realism is distorted. If irony is portrayed in a totally plausible way, we have tragedy]. totally plausible way, we have tragedy].

The grotesque items an author chooses reflects The grotesque items an author chooses reflects his or her moral judgment and contains the his or her moral judgment and contains the satire.satire.

““Satire breaks down when the irony is too Satire breaks down when the irony is too oppressively real to maintain fantasy.”oppressively real to maintain fantasy.”

Three Essentials of SATIRE:Three Essentials of SATIRE:

1. wit or humor founded on fantasy or a sense 1. wit or humor founded on fantasy or a sense of the absurd /grotesqueof the absurd /grotesque

2. an object of attack2. an object of attack 3. defined societal values3. defined societal values

Northrup FryeNorthrup Frye

WitWit

Wit – [Wit – [V. and N. OE – ConsciousnessV. and N. OE – Consciousness] ] Originally meant to learn or to know.Originally meant to learn or to know.

Verb – “The peril of this place I better Verb – “The peril of this place I better wot wot than you.” than you.” Edmund SpenserEdmund Spenser

Noun – “I am well in my wits, fool as you Noun – “I am well in my wits, fool as you are.” are.” Shakespeare – Shakespeare – 1212thth Night Night

Changing ConnotationChanging Connotation

Chaucer – Intellect and IntelligenceChaucer – Intellect and Intelligence Shakespeare – Wisdom or Fancy Shakespeare – Wisdom or Fancy John Donne (17John Donne (17thth Century) – Fancy, originality Century) – Fancy, originality

and agility of poetic expressions.and agility of poetic expressions. Austen/Swift – Judgment, reason, ability to Austen/Swift – Judgment, reason, ability to

articulate universal truths.articulate universal truths.

A Literary GenreA Literary Genre

Purpose: To Expose Human Folly In Order To Purpose: To Expose Human Folly In Order To Bring About ChangeBring About Change Fine Line Exists Between Ridicule for Ridicule’s Fine Line Exists Between Ridicule for Ridicule’s

Sake and Satire. Sake and Satire. Comedy Just Exposes FollyComedy Just Exposes Folly The Satirist is a Moralist Who Wants A Better The Satirist is a Moralist Who Wants A Better

SocietySociety Even The Most Pessimistic Satirist Is An OptimistEven The Most Pessimistic Satirist Is An Optimist The Satirist Does Not Poke Fun At Unchangeable The Satirist Does Not Poke Fun At Unchangeable

Characteristics Such As Physical DeformitiesCharacteristics Such As Physical Deformities

Tone: Bitter or Light?Tone: Bitter or Light?

Satire is bounded by two extremes: Satire is bounded by two extremes: pure invective pure invective romance romance

when the satire moves to the romance end, it must be when the satire moves to the romance end, it must be pulled back by certain literary devices – pulled back by certain literary devices –

Frye maintains that most often the device is allegory Frye maintains that most often the device is allegory that has a “mythos” to it.that has a “mythos” to it.

Two Categories Of SatireTwo Categories Of SatireDirect and IndirectDirect and Indirect

Direct Satire Direct Satire 11stst Person Narrator Who Directly Addresses the Person Narrator Who Directly Addresses the

Audience or the AdversaryAudience or the Adversary Horatian - Pokes Fun of Humble Foils With a Horatian - Pokes Fun of Humble Foils With a

Witty ToneWitty Tone Juvenalian Satire – Denounces Human Vice and Juvenalian Satire – Denounces Human Vice and

Error in Dignified and Solemn TonesError in Dignified and Solemn Tones

Indirect SatireIndirect Satire Mennippean Satire Mennippean Satire

Most CommonMost Common Stock CharactersStock Characters Loose NarrativesLoose Narratives Non SequiturNon Sequitur Centers on Esoteric and Erudite IdeasCenters on Esoteric and Erudite Ideas

““A Modest Proposal”A Modest Proposal”

A Classic Argumentative/Persuasive EssayA Classic Argumentative/Persuasive Essay A Classic Example of Direct SatireA Classic Example of Direct Satire

Classic ArgumentationClassic Argumentation

Three Types of Thesis StatementsThree Types of Thesis Statements Claim of Fact Claim of Fact

Marijuana is (or is not) an addictive drug.Marijuana is (or is not) an addictive drug. OJ is guilty of murderOJ is guilty of murder

Claim of Policy.Claim of Policy. The Iraq War is IllegalThe Iraq War is Illegal We need a cabinet position to oversee all intelligence agenciesWe need a cabinet position to oversee all intelligence agencies

Claim of ValueClaim of Value Abortion is immoral.Abortion is immoral. A woman should have the right to choose whether to have children.A woman should have the right to choose whether to have children.

Classic ArgumentationClassic Argumentation

Presents Need for Change and Begins to Presents Need for Change and Begins to Establish TrustworthinessEstablish Trustworthiness

Presents Proposal and Continues to Promote Presents Proposal and Continues to Promote Trustworthiness by Overcoming Possible Trustworthiness by Overcoming Possible Objections (Warrants)Objections (Warrants)

Shows Advantages for Change and Reinforces Shows Advantages for Change and Reinforces TrustworthinessTrustworthiness

Elements Of Effective Elements Of Effective ArgumentationArgumentation

Trustworthy SpeakerTrustworthy Speaker Balance ofBalance of

Logos (facts)Logos (facts) Ethos (values/ethics)Ethos (values/ethics) Pathos (emotions)Pathos (emotions)

Homework – Due TuesdayHomework – Due Tuesday

Read and annotate “A Modest Proposal” for Read and annotate “A Modest Proposal” for the following:the following: Structure of a class argumentative essayStructure of a class argumentative essay Devices of SatireDevices of Satire Shifts in ToneShifts in Tone AudienceAudience PurposePurpose

Group SatireGroup Satire

Decide on a topic worthy of satire (Must not Decide on a topic worthy of satire (Must not be unacceptably offensive)be unacceptably offensive)

Decide on Category: Direct or Decide on Category: Direct or Indirect(Menippean)Indirect(Menippean)

Decide on tone (Horatian, Juvenalian)Decide on tone (Horatian, Juvenalian) Is it the same for all characters?Is it the same for all characters?

Write the Satire and Create a Visual? Write the Satire and Create a Visual? How can I employ devices of satire? How can I employ devices of satire?

Claim of Policy????Claim of Policy????

I do therefore humbly offer it to public I do therefore humbly offer it to public consideration …. the remaining hundred consideration …. the remaining hundred thousand may, at a year old, be offered in the thousand may, at a year old, be offered in the sale to the persons of quality and fortune sale to the persons of quality and fortune through the kingdom; always advising the through the kingdom; always advising the mother to let them suck plentifully in the last mother to let them suck plentifully in the last month, so as to render them plump and fat for month, so as to render them plump and fat for a good table. a good table.

Classical ArgumentationClassical ArgumentationStep 1Step 1

Presents Need for ChangePresents Need for Change Describes the Irish towns “crowded with beggars Describes the Irish towns “crowded with beggars

of the female sex”of the female sex” We need a “fair, cheap, and easy method of We need a “fair, cheap, and easy method of

making these children sound, useful members of making these children sound, useful members of the commonwealth.”the commonwealth.”

Establishes TrustworthinessEstablishes Trustworthiness ““But my intention is very far from being confined But my intention is very far from being confined

to provide only for the children of professed to provide only for the children of professed beggars…”beggars…”

Step 2 – The ProposalStep 2 – The Proposal

““That the remaining hundred thousand That the remaining hundred thousand [children] may at a year old be offered in sale [children] may at a year old be offered in sale to the persons of quality and fortune through to the persons of quality and fortune through the kingdom.”the kingdom.”

Overcomes possible objections:Overcomes possible objections: ““I grant this food will be somewhat dear…”I grant this food will be somewhat dear…” ““I have already computed the charge of nursing a I have already computed the charge of nursing a

beggar’s child…”beggar’s child…”

Step 3 – The AdvantagesStep 3 – The Advantages

““I have too long digressed, and therefore shall return I have too long digressed, and therefore shall return to my subject. I think the advantages by the proposal to my subject. I think the advantages by the proposal which I have made are obvious and many, as well as which I have made are obvious and many, as well as of the highest importance.”of the highest importance.” ““For first..”For first..” ““Secondly…”Secondly…” ““Sixthly…”Sixthly…” ““Many other advatages might be enumerated.” How can I Many other advatages might be enumerated.” How can I

employ devices of satireemploy devices of satire

Swift’s SatireSwift’s Satire

Presents facts but they are punctuated with Presents facts but they are punctuated with loaded diction (pathos)that should cause loaded diction (pathos)that should cause suspicion:suspicion: Women murdering babiesWomen murdering babies Women referred to as “breeders”Women referred to as “breeders”

Analysis of “A Modest Proposal”Analysis of “A Modest Proposal”

Number your paragraphs from 1-31Number your paragraphs from 1-31 As a group analyze your assigned paragraphs As a group analyze your assigned paragraphs

forfor Purpose and Rhetorical Devices that achieve that Purpose and Rhetorical Devices that achieve that

purposepurpose SpeakerSpeaker AudienceAudience Target(s) of Satire and Tone Toward the Target(s)Target(s) of Satire and Tone Toward the Target(s) Include ASR that Supports Your AnalysisInclude ASR that Supports Your Analysis

Paradox

Pride and Prejudice Group Pride and Prejudice Group WorkWork

Choose a satiric passage from your assigned chapters and Choose a satiric passage from your assigned chapters and identify the page numbersidentify the page numbers

Type or download it into a word document.Type or download it into a word document. Identify the elements of satire in the passageIdentify the elements of satire in the passage

Frye’s tenets of satireFrye’s tenets of satire Literary devicesLiterary devices

Determine the tone (invective to romanatic)Determine the tone (invective to romanatic) Use tone handoutUse tone handout Write a thesis statement about that passage.Write a thesis statement about that passage. Send it to me on messages in Blackboard.Send it to me on messages in Blackboard.

HomeworkHomework

Choose one of the critical articles in the text to Choose one of the critical articles in the text to read for Monday.read for Monday.

Summarize the article and identify the thesisSummarize the article and identify the thesis