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? ____________________________
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(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? _____________________
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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)