When does satire go too far?
Satire has merits beyond just being funny – it
delivers clear and relevant social commentary.
But are there lines that satire shouldn’t cross?
English 10: British Literature
Mr. Ambrose
Today’s Objectives
• To examine some contemporary examples of
satire and determine if their message is lost
because of its offensive delivery.
• To assess whether Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest
Proposal” is effective satire, or whether,
perhaps like some of today’s examples, it
“goes too far.”
Do Now
• Read the article titled “Banned TV Episode Has
Its Day on DVD” from The New York Times.
• Journal: Do you think it was appropriate that
this episode was banned from television
because of its controversial content? Explain
your reasoning.
Jeff Dunham and
Achmed the Dead Terrorist
Mr. Esner finds this to be an extraordinarily racist clip that is offensive and
lacks comedic value. How do you feel about it?
Borat’s “Throw the Jew Down the Well”
Sacha Baron Cohen is actually Jewish, but does his message combating antiSemitism clearly come through in this piece? What role do the audience
members listening to Borat play in the satire?
South Park
Is it ever OK to make fun of someone’s religion for satirical purposes? How
is Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s commentary on religion similar to Swift’s?
The Colbert Report
Do you think that Sarah Palin’s definition of “satire” is an accurate one?
How does Colbert satirize this definition?
Is it ever OK to use the word “retard” for satirical purposes?
Sassy Gay Friend
Is it ever OK to use stereotypes in satire?
This is a great summary of Othello, but it could be considered offensive by
some. Would it ever be OK to use in class?
How about the “N” word?
• Satirists from Mark Twain to Dave Chappelle
have used the “N” word as a means to combat
racism – yet many have censored this
message.
• Just recently, versions of Twain’s books have
been published with the “N” word removed
from them.
• Is it ever acceptable to use this word? Why?
So…what’s off limits for satire?
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Sexuality
Religion
Pregnancy/Abortion
Race (The “N” Word)
Disabilities
Politics
The Holocaust and other Genocides
War
“Too soon?” (Michael Jackson’s death)
Modest Proposal
• Many readers (like Andrea B. and Andrea G. in
period 4) were more than a bit disturbed by
Swift’s suggestion that we eat babies – they
actually asked if we could stop reading the essay.
• Did Swift’s essay go to far in its use of satire if
readers were actually so disgusted that they
wanted to put down the essay?
• Did these readers, then, miss out on Swift’s
message?
• Is this one of the dangers of satire?
Tonight’s Homework
• HONORS: Complete your own “Modest
Proposal,” due Friday, 3.11.2011.
• STANDARD: Work on your Eggplant satirical
newspaper, due Tuesday, 3.15.2011.