Satire can be used in plays, novels, films, or other work
that uses satire.
Synonyms: mockery, ridicule, derision, scorn, caricature,
irony, sarcasm, parody, burlesque, caricature, lampoon, skit, spoofs, wit
Examples of Satire in Everyday Life:
Most political cartoons which we witness every day in
newspapers and magazines are examples of satire. These cartoons criticize some recent actions
of political figures in a comical way.
Some shows on television are satire examples like The Daily
Show, The Colbert Report, and The Larry Sanders Show. These shows target what
they think are stupid political and social viewpoints.
 |
| Caricature of Stephen Colbert |
Sample of Stephen Colbert's social satire:
"If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't
help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we
are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and
serve the needy without condition and then admit that we just don't want to do
it."
Satire Examples in Literature
 |
| Mark Twain |
Example #1: There are
numerous examples of satire in Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn. He uses satire as
a tool to share his ideas and opinion on slavery, human nature and many other
issues. Below are a few citations from
the novel that demonstrates satire:
"What's the use you learning to do right, when it's
troublesome to do right and isn't no trouble to do wrong, and the wages is just
the same? (Chapter 16)
"There wasn't anybody at the church, except maybe a hog
or two, for there warn't any lock on the door, and the hogs likes a puncheon
floor in summer-time because it's cool.
If you notice, most folks don't go to church only when they've got to;
but a hog is different." (Chapter
18)
"The pitifulest thing out is a mob; that what an army
is--a mob; they don't fight with courage that's born in them, but with courage
that's borrowed from their mass, and from their officers. But a mob without any man at the head of it
is beneath pitifulness." (Chapter
22)
Example #2: Jonathan
Swift, Irish author and satirist wrote Gulliver's Travels one of the finest
satirical works in English Literature.
Swift relentlessly satirizes politics, religion and Western Culture.
Criticizing party politics in England, Swift writes, "that for above
seventy Moons past there have been two struggling Parties in this Empire, under
the Names of Tramecksan and Slamecksan from the high and low Heels on their
shoes, by which they distinguish themselves."
During Swift's times, two rival political parties, the Whigs
and the Tories, dominated the English political scene. Similarly, "The Kingdom of
Lilliput" is dominated by two parties distinguished by the size of the
heels of their boots. By the trivial disputes
between the two Lilliputian parties," Swift satirizes the minor disputes
of the two English parties of his period.
Function of Satire
The role of satire is to ridicule or criticize those vices
in the society, which the writer considers a threat to civilization. The writer considers it his obligation to
expose these vices for the betterment of humanity. The function of satire is not to make others
laugh at persons or ideas they make fun of.
It intends to warn the public and to change their opinions about the
prevailing corruption/conditions in society.
Cartoonists are great at showing and writing cartoons. Here
are some examples:
I do not write satire, but I can write sarcasm on occasion. I hope everyone who has an opinion on satire
leaves a comment. My opinion is we have
to have freedom of speech even if I disagree with them. Now, was that satire, or sarcasm?
Thank you for reading my blog, have a good week and come
back next Sunday.
Sandra K. Marshall, author
@ Eirelander Publishinghttp://www.eirelanderpublishing.com
http://www.skaymarshall.com
https://www.facebook.com/sandra.marshall.98
https://twitter.com/AuthSKMarshall/status/496365255165878272
10 comments:
Food for Thought Sandy...good post.
I can speak sarcasm....just ask my family! :)
As far as the little verification note below...I need to check the box that says "I'm not a robot"...but am I? if I check the box?
:)
Kari
I also think that satire is important but there can be times it's used to bully and degrade others. As you pointed out in your definition, it can be mockery...Children struggle with this. They say things that are unkind and then tell that it was only a joke when in fact most jokes have kernels of truth. We must always be careful of that fine line.
Oh, Kari, you're a hoot. The robot is something blogger set up not me, but I think it's a good thing. You're definitely not a robot. lol
Glad you liked my post.
Melissa, satire should be used to point out problems in society and not to ridicule others.
Children who use mockery to bully most of the time learn it from their parents.
Satire in movies always works for Mel Brooks. Blazing Saddles, Meatballs, etc.
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