English 12 / Unit 3: The Enlightenment and Satire
3.2 Satire and Its Techniques
Notes
Satire uses humor, exaggeration or ridicule to criticize people, institutions or ideas, usually aiming to prompt change.
- Horatian satire is gentle and amused. Juvenalian satire is harsh and bitter.
- Techniques: irony, hyperbole (exaggeration), understatement, parody (imitation to mock), absurdity, and sarcasm.
- Ask three questions: Who or what is the target? What technique is used? What does the writer want readers to realize or do?
- Example: A writer solemnly suggests fixing traffic by banning all cars on days that end in "y." The absurd solution mocks the town's refusal to fund public transit.
Practice
Which describes Juvenalian satire?
Juvenalian satire attacks with anger; Horatian satire smiles.
An author solemnly proposes closing all schools to reduce homework stress. What technique is most likely being used?
An unreasonable solution highlights a real problem by exaggeration.
Which question helps most when identifying the purpose of a satire?
Satire aims at a target and wants readers to see a flaw.
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