Satire
Definition

A literary work that ridicules its subject in order to
make a comment or criticism about it.

Although satire is usually witty, and often very
funny, the purpose of satire is to criticize in order
to shame someone or something into reform.

Satire usually has a definite target, which may be a
person or group of people, an idea or attitude, an
institution, or a social practice.
First Type of Satire:
 Formal
 In
formal satire, the satiric voice
speaks, usually in the first person,
either directly to the reader or to a
character in the written work.
 There are two types of formal satire:
Horatian and Juvenalian
Horatian Satire
 Horatian
Satire, named for the
Roman poet, Horace, is gentle,
urbane, smiling; it aims to
correct through gentle and
sympathetic laughter.
Horatian Satire
Juvenalian Satire
 Juvenalian
Satire, named for the
Roman poet Juvenal, is biting,
bitter, angry; it points with
contempt and moral indignation
to the corruption and evil of
human beings and institutions.
Juvenalian Satire
What is Juvenalian Satire?

“I would never let a woman kick my ass. If she tried something, I'd be like, HEY! You
get your bitch ass back in the kitchen and make me some pie!” – Eric Cartman

Of the two forms of satire, it is the Juvenalian that most effectively gets people’s
attention. South Park is one of the best examples of Juvenalian satire, poking fun at
everything from politics and celebrities to religions and everyday life. The opening
quote demonstrates how the show takes a serious issue such as equality and misogyny,
and turns it into a joke or even an insult. This is the hallmark of Juvenalian satire:
using sharp sarcasm to criticize social issues. Juvenalian satirists seek to push the
boundary of tolerance in their audience. They typically address social mores, which are
more serious than folkways. Unlike Horatian satire there is less emphasis on humor
and a larger emphasis on morals.
Second Type of Satire
Indirect Satire:
 In indirect satire, the satire is expressed
through a narrative, and the characters or
groups who are the focus of the satire are
ridiculed not by what is said about them,
but by what they themselves say and do.
 Much of the great literary satire is
indirect.
Examples of Indirect Satire:







The Simpsons
Family Guy
South Park
Brave New World
Great Expectations
Scary Movie 1, 2 and 3
Chappelle’s Show







Clueless
Saturday Night Live
MAD TV.
Naked Gun
The Truman Show
Scrubs
Huckleberry Finn
Questions to Consider




What is the author’s tone?
What is the author’s purpose?
Is it effective?
What is the dominant satirical device used?
Four Techniques of Satire
1. Exaggeration
To enlarge, increase, or represent something beyond
normal bounds so that it becomes ridiculous and its
faults can be seen.
2. Incongruity
To present things that are out of place or are absurd
in relation to their surroundings.
3. Reversal
To present the opposite of the normal order (e.g., the
order of events hierarchical order).
4. Parody
To imitate the techniques and/or style of some
person, place or thing.
Exaggeration
Incongruity
Reversal
Parody
Horation or
Juvenalian?
Horation or
Juvenalian?
Which of
the four
types?
Horation or Juvenalian?
Horation or Juvenalian?
Horation or
Juvenalian?
Horation or Juvenalian?
Which of the four types?
Which of the four types?
Which of the four types?
Which of the four types?
Which of the four types?