Satire

Definition

Satire is a literary technique that uses humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to criticize or mock individuals, society, or institutions. It often aims to provoke thought and inspire change by exposing flaws and hypocrisy, making it a powerful tool for social commentary and reflection.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Oscar Wilde utilized satire in his works to critique Victorian society's hypocrisy, focusing on themes of morality and social norms.
2. Mark Twain’s use of satire often highlighted the absurdities of American life and exposed social injustices, particularly around issues like racism and class disparity.
3. Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front employs satire to address the brutal realities of war, contrasting the glorified notions of heroism with the grim experiences of soldiers.
4. Aldous Huxley's Brave New World employs satirical elements to critique consumerism and the loss of individuality in a technologically advanced society.
5. Science fiction often uses satire as a means of social commentary, critiquing contemporary issues by presenting them in exaggerated or fantastical contexts.

Review Questions

• How does Oscar Wilde's use of satire reflect the societal norms of his time?
  • Oscar Wilde's satire highlights the contradictions and superficiality of Victorian society. Through sharp wit and irony, he exposes the hypocrisy surrounding social norms and morality. His characters often navigate situations that reveal the absurdities inherent in the strict societal expectations of his era, prompting readers to question those very standards.
• In what ways does Mark Twain's satire challenge prevailing attitudes towards race and class in America?
  • Mark Twain's satire directly confronts racial prejudices and class distinctions through humor and irony. By portraying characters from different backgrounds in exaggerated situations, he exposes the absurdity of societal norms related to race and class. His works encourage readers to reflect on these issues critically while highlighting the need for social change.
• Analyze how Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front uses satire to comment on the romanticized views of war.
  • In All Quiet on the Western Front, Erich Maria Remarque employs satire to dismantle the romanticized notions of warfare that were prevalent during World War I. Through grim humor and stark contrasts between soldiers' expectations and their brutal reality, he criticizes the glorification of heroism. This approach not only challenges the reader's perceptions of war but also serves as a powerful indictment against militarism and nationalism, urging for a deeper understanding of its devastating consequences.

Related terms

Irony: A rhetorical device or figure of speech in which the intended meaning is opposite to the literal meaning, often used in satire to enhance humor or critique.

Parody: A humorous or satirical imitation of a particular work, genre, or style, often exaggerating its features to create a comic effect or critique its subject.

Allegory:

A narrative technique in which characters and events represent abstract ideas or moral qualities, often used in satirical works to convey deeper meanings about society and human nature.