Vocabulary of Satire, Farce and Nonsense in Literature Satire A form of literature that uses irony, sarcasm, parody, hyperbole and other methods of ridicule and humor to criticize human institutions and human weakness, vice or folly in order to bring about social reform Farce A kind of comedy that inspires hilarity mixed with panic and cruelty in its audience through an increasingly rapid and improbable series of ludicrous confusions, physical disasters, and sexual innuendos among its stock characters. Nonsense Broad categorization of literature that balances elements that make sense with some that do not, with the effect of subverting language conventions or logical reasoning. often defies common sense and creates an entirely new world through the manipulation of language Hyperbole Exaggeration for the sake of emphasis in a figure of speech not meant literally. Parody An imitation of the style of an author or work for comic effect and ridicule. Burlesque A kind of parody that ridicules some serious literary work, either by treating its solemn subject in an undignified way (see or by applying its elevated style to a trivial subject. See also ‘extravaganza,’ ‘satire’ ‘travesty’) Caricature A picture, description, etc., ludicrously exaggerating the peculiarities or defects of persons or things Double entendre A French phrase for ‘double meaning,’ adopted in English to denote a pun in which a word or phrase has a second, sexual, meaning. usually Incongruity Presentation of elements that are out of place or are absurd in relation to surroundings. Juxtaposition Placing often similar things close together or side by side, especially for comparison or contrast. Malapropism A act or habit of misusing words ridiculously, especially by the confusion or words that are similar in sounds. Sarcasm Bitter or cutting speech, using irony to mock and wound feelings. Often a reversal of meaning from the words themselves. From late Greek sarkasmos, meaning ‘to tear flesh.’ Oxymoron A figure of speech by which a locution produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect, as in “cruel kindness” make haste slowly.” or “to Travesty A mockingly undignified or trivializing treatment of a dignified subject, usually as a kind of parody. Understatement A figure of speech in which what is actually meant is expressed by lessening or negating the full significance of the moment. Lampoon A sharp, often virulent satire directed against an individual or institution; a work of literature, art, or the like, ridiculing the character or behavior of a person, severely society, etc. Epigram Short, pithy saying, usually in verse, often with a quick, satirical twist at the end. Verbal irony Situation in which the speaker or writer says one thing but means something very different--often the opposite of what is said. Deadpan Humour marked by or accomplished with a careful pretense of seriousness or calm detachment; impassive or ‘straight face’) while delivering expressionless (a verbal irony. Situational Irony Irony involving a circumstance in which actions have an effect that is opposite from what was intended, so that the outcome is contrary to what was expected. Dramatic irony Situation in which the audience or the reader knows something important that the character does not know. Exaggeration Act of enlarging, increasing, or representing something beyond normal bounds so that it becomes ridiculous. Incongruity Presentation of elements that are out of place or are absurd in relation to surroundings. Reversal Presentation of elements in the opposite of normal order. Persuasion Convincing someone to do or believe something; winning them over to a desired belief or action. Portmanteau word A word concocted by fusing two different words together into one: a common example is ‘brunch;’ other modern colloquial cases are motel and guesstimate. Coined by Lewis Carroll when he invented the word slithy from ‘lithe’ and ‘slimy’; the portmanteau word referred to is a kind of suitcase composed of two halves. See Finnegan’s Wake by James Joyce. Neologism A word or phrase newly invented or newly introduced into a language. Extravaganza A theatrical entertainment consisting of a mild burlesque of some myth or fairy tale enlivened by puns, music, dance and spectacle. elaborate Bombast Speech too pompous for an occasion; pretentious words. (See Shakespeare) Grotesque Characterized by bizarre distortions, especially in the exaggerated or abnormal depiction of human features. The literature of the grotesque involves freakish caricatures of people’s appearance and behavior, as in Charles Dickens or Flannery O’Connor. A disturbingly odd fictional character may also be called grotesque. Wordplay The witty exploitation of the meanings and ambiguities of words, especially in puns. Mock epic A poem employing the lofty style and the conventions of epic poetry to describe a trivial or undignified series of events. Mock-heroic manner and devices characteristic of Of or relating to the form of satire in which trivial subjects, characters, and events are treated in the ceremonious with the elevated language and elaborate the heroic style. Self-deprecation Disparagement of oneself, often for the purposes of humor. Nonce Word A word coined and used only for a particular occasion.
