What is Satire?
Satire, by definition, is a literary and rhetorical device that uses sarcasm, irony, and ridicule to expose the flaws of individuals or society. The word “satire” made its way into the English language during the 16th century but has a Latin origin. It originated from the Latin word satura, which means “full.”
Many writers use satires in their works. Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal is a political satire. In this essay, Swift offers a satirical proposal as a solution to Irish oppression. The absurdity of the proposal is clear in the following excerpt:
“I can think of no one objection that will possibly be raised against this proposal unless it should be urged that the number of people will be thereby much lessened in the kingdom.”
Here, Swift suggests that Irish children should be offered as food to the English landlords.
Satire has also been a part of dramas, poems, and movies. The most iconic satirist was Charlie Chaplin; his movie The Great Dictator is viewed as one of the most important satirical works of the 20th century.
Satire is an entertaining form of social commentary that’s aimed at improving society. It’s a powerful weapon for artists. But for satire to be effective, readers need to recognize it as one. It is very context-dependent and could fail if interpreted superficially by audiences.
Satire in Literature
Satire is a writing style employed by many professional writers in their fictional as well as non-fictional works. Both sarcasm and irony are used as a part of it, but the most used form is humor. Based on the purpose, satires are classified into three types: Horatian, Juvenalian, and Menippean.
- Horatian satire is aimed at making audiences laugh. It primarily focuses on self-deprecating humor and wit and was named after the Roman satirist Horace. It is the mildest form of satire, doesn’t spread negativity, and doesn’t have a deeper context. It also doesn’t seek to change the world. Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is a Horatian satire; the marriage and relationships within the book involve lighthearted humor. Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest also falls under this type. In the book, social engagements are presented in a comic way. Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn pokes fun at racism and religion in a lighter tone. Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels is also a Horatian satire.
- Juvenalian satire is named after the writings of Roman satirist Juvenal and is meant to evoke anger in the audience. This type of satire is dark, less comedic, and has more sarcasm and stronger irony. Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal falls under this category. It highlights the dark truth of impoverished Ireland, which was exploited by the English landlords. Another example of Juvenalian satire is George Orwell’s Animal farm, a political satire written to parallel communist Russia.
- Menippean satire strikes a balance between both Horatian and Juvenalian satires. It doesn’t target specific individuals but addresses their viewpoints such as racism, sexism, or even arrogance. It uses exaggerated settings as a means of narrative abstraction. Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is a popular example of Menippean satire. This novel makes fun of upper-class intellectualism but in a light-spirited manner.
All these types of satires can be a part of any work of culture or environment, but their primary goal remains the same: making fun of basic human traits.
Satire vs. Parody vs. Sarcasm
Often, satire is confused with another literary device called sarcasm. A parody is also used interchangeably with satire. However, there are differences between the three.
| Satire | Parody | Sarcasm |
| There is always a deeper motive in the humor that’s part of a satire. | There is no deeper motive in the humor of a parody. | Sarcasm uses irony, unlike satire, to mock ideas. |
| Satire is used to inspire or create change. | Parody aims for a comedic effect. | Sarcasm intends to simply convey contempt. |
| Satire is used in literature, theater, music, poems, films, and television. | Parody is used in literature, drama, movies, and television. | Sarcasm is mostly used in verbal conversations, which can be a part of movies, books, or theater. |
| It is humorous in nature. | It is funny/comedic in nature. | It is rarely humorous or funny. |
| It is not meant to hurt people (constructive criticism). | It is not intended to insult people and often expects a funny reaction from its audiences. | It is directed towards offending people (destructive). |
| It is not a subset of parody or sarcasm but employs both to bring out the humor. | It is a subset of satire but not sarcasm. | It is a subset of satire. Sarcasm is used to create satire. |
Tips on Writing a Satire
If done effectively, satire draws enough attention to an issue at hand without being obvious about it. Here are some tips that will help in writing an effective one:
- Tone: Satire is often comical, but the humor births from its altered reality. The tone of the satire should be serious but subtle.
- Audience: Context is important and so is the audience. Knowing the likes of audiences helps writers put together effective satire. If misinterpreted, audiences’ sentiments get hurt.
- Making mundane situations novel: This is a facet of satire. Applying tactics such as reversal creates absurd situations within stories. Reversal in satire involves switching positions between two things. For example, a writing piece that involves a dog walking a man with a leash. This is the exact opposite of what normally is and raises the curiosity for readers.
- Juxtaposition: Juxtaposition of seemingly unrelated images creates satire. The contrast of any two things creates strong commentary.
Overall, satire has endured as a storytelling technique in many facets of art. It offers a mix of comedic relief and social critique.
