Satire

Definition

Satire is a literary technique that uses humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to criticize or mock individuals, institutions, or societal norms. It aims to provoke thought and encourage change by highlighting the absurdities and flaws in human behavior and societal practices.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Molière's works often used satire to critique French society and its social classes, focusing on themes like hypocrisy and moral corruption.
2. Machado de Assis employed satire in his writings to challenge societal norms and prejudices in Brazil, particularly around race and class.
3. Toni Morrison used elements of satire to expose the contradictions in American society regarding race and identity through her powerful narratives.
4. In Indigenous literature, authors like Silko utilized satire to comment on the treatment of Native peoples and the impact of colonization on their cultures.
5. During the Italian Renaissance, writers like Boccaccio used satire as a tool to address the moral failings of individuals and the church, reflecting on broader social issues.

Review Questions

• How does Molière's use of satire reflect the social issues of his time, and what techniques does he employ to convey his messages?
  • Molière's use of satire serves as a sharp critique of 17th-century French society, particularly targeting the hypocrisy within the upper classes. He employs techniques such as exaggeration and irony to highlight absurd behaviors and moral failings, making his audience reflect on their own actions. Through characters like Tartuffe, Molière exposes the dangers of blind faith and deception, encouraging societal reform.
• Analyze how Machado de Assis utilizes satire in his literary works to address issues related to race and class in Brazilian society.
  • Machado de Assis employs satire as a powerful tool to critique Brazilian society's racial and class divisions. In works like 'Dom Casmurro,' he uses irony and social commentary to reveal the contradictions within the elite class while exposing the pervasive prejudice against Afro-Brazilians. His subtle yet incisive satirical style invites readers to question societal norms and reflect on the implications of these injustices.
• Evaluate the role of satire in Indigenous literature as seen through authors like Silko and Erdrich, considering its impact on contemporary cultural conversations.
  • In Indigenous literature, authors like Leslie Marmon Silko and Louise Erdrich use satire not just for humor but as a serious critique of historical injustices faced by Native peoples. Their works challenge stereotypes and illuminate the ongoing struggles against cultural erasure and marginalization. By employing satire, they engage contemporary audiences in critical discussions about identity, representation, and sovereignty, prompting a reevaluation of societal perceptions surrounding Indigenous communities.

Related terms

parody: A humorous or satirical imitation of a particular style, genre, or work, often exaggerating its characteristics to make a point.

irony: A rhetorical device where the intended meaning is opposite to the literal meaning, often used in satire to create contrast and highlight absurdities.

cynicism: An attitude characterized by a general distrust of others' motives, often used in satirical works to underscore the perceived hypocrisy in societal behaviors.