Classics and Satire Stephen Colbert, The Simpsons, and The Onion… these three popular and funny ways to be entertained have something in common. They all use satire to make us laugh and think about something in the world. Satire is when human weaknesses or flaws are highlighted through humor as a way to get us to think about them. While we are laughing about what people do or an event that has happened we can then see the imperfections of ourselves as well. Many classic stories use satire in some way including Pride and Prejudice, Animal Farm, Gulliver’s Travels, Brave New World, and Huckleberry Finn. Take a look at the two examples of satire below. The first one is from The Onion, a satirical newspaper, and the other is a shortened passage from Gulliver’s Travels. (1) New Harry Potter Film Turns Children On To Magic Of Not Reading LOS ANGELES—Around the world, children are being turned on to the magic of not reading by the blockbuster film Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone. "My daughter Julia never liked to sit passively and stare at a screen, but this new movie has really locked the power of her imagination so that she doesn’t have to use it anymore at all," said Hannah Foss, 38, of Dayton, OH. "She can't put her books away fast enough." "Movies are great," said Tarzana, CA, 10-year-old Emily Hart. "You can see exactly what the characters look like without having to think about things yourself." What makes this story from The Onion an example of satire? ____________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ (2) The two mighty powers of Lilliput and Blefuscu have been engaged in a war for six and thirty moons past. It began upon the following occasion. It had been believed since primitive times that the best way to break an egg is from the large end. But his present Majesty’s grandfather struggled to break an egg this way and on one occasion cut his finger, so his father the Emperor commanded all subjects in both lands upon great penalty to only break eggs on the smaller end. The people so highly resented this law that there have been six rebellions, many exiles fleeing for safety in new lands, and much loss of life as numerous citizens in both countries refuse to break an egg on the smaller end. Why is this passage from Gulliver’s Travels a good example of satire? _____________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Now consider your own classic story. There may be strong examples of satire that jump out at you, or maybe not too many. Please complete one of the charts below. (1) If you can identify satire in your classic, complete the chart below. Satire as part of the plot or character choices (examples- ridiculing commonly held beliefs/ the way someone in power acts) Idea this scene highlights from life today How do you see this idea about human nature connecting to life today? Rate the use of satire (1-5, 5= great lesson) (2) If you don’t have good examples of satire in your classic, please complete this chart. When considering connections you can make, dig below the surface with your thinking. You are not a hobbit, for instance, but maybe you like the comfort of things you know best, and you need a good friend who knows you well to encourage you to try new things. Elements of your story that you can connect to life today Character life experiences or choices you can connect to life today Rate the timelessness of the plot and character(s) in your classic (1-5, 5= strong connections)