PARODY
DEFINITION
&
EXAMPLES
1
Definition: Parody
• Dictionary meaning: “a humorous or
satirical imitation of a serious piece of
literature or writing.”
• Wikipedia definition: “a work created to
mock, comment on, or poke fun at an
original work, its subject, or author, or some
other target, by means of humorous, satiric
or ironic imitation.”
2
The obvious point to know about
parody
In order to write parody, there has
to be an original work that the poet
refers to (either to criticize/satirize
or make fun of). Therefore, as
readers, we need to be familiar
with that original work in order to
fully understand what is being
parodied.
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Function of Parody
• establishes a dialogue with the original work. In
order to write a parody, you need to really
understand the original work to reproduce its style
and manner.
• a commentary on the original work for different
purposes (make fun of, criticize/satirize etc.).
• The purpose of parody (though rarely) can be to be
funny or witty & make us laugh.
• provides a fresh perspective on the original work
and what it represents. That fresh look might be
about the poem or about something larger than the
poem. For ex., pastoral vision can be criticized.
• sees the past through the perspective of the
present/that particular moment the poet writes.
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Function of Parody
•
When one writer parodies another writer’s
work, it does not necessarily mean that the
original poem is without merit.
Acc. to critic Dwight Macdonald “Most
parodies are written out of admiration
rather than contempt.”
Another critic, Geoffrey Grigson, argues
“Nobody is going to parody you if you
haven’t style.”
5
Some parodies are written to adapt the original poem to
contemporary setting, so they might be providing
commentary on both the past and the present
To Lucasta
On Going to the Wars
Tell me not, Sweet, I am unkind,
That from the nunnery
Of thy chaste breasts, and quiet mind,
To war and arms I fly.
To My Fans, on Becoming a Free Agent
Tell me not, fans, I am unkind
For saying my good-bye
And leaving your kind cheers behind
While I to new fans fly.
True, a new mistress now I chase,
The first foe in the field;
And with a stronger faith embrace
A sword, a horse, a shield.
True, I have lost your sweet embrace
While on your rival's field;
But I have viewed the market place
And seen what it can yield.
Yet this inconstancy is such,
As you too shall adore;
I could not love thee, Dear, so much,
Loved I not honour more.
Richard Lovelace
Though my disloyalty is such
That all you fans abhor,
It's not that I don't love you much:
I just love money more.
Gene Fehler
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