Satire


 

Satire is a literary technique of writing or art which exposes the follies of its subject (for example, individuals, organizations, or states) to ridicule, often as an intended means of provoking or preventing change. In Celtic societies, it was thought a bard's satire could have physical effects, similar to a curse. A satirist is one who satirizes.

Related Topics:
Literary technique - Celt - Bard - Curse - Satirist

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Satire is not exclusive to any viewpoint. Parody is a form of humor that imitates another work of art in an exaggerated fashion for comic effect, usually deriding the subject of the parody in the process. Although the techniques of satire and parody often overlap, they are not synonymous. Satires need not be humorous - indeed, they are often tragic - while parodies are almost invariably humorous. Parodies are imitative by definition, while satires need not be. Humorous satires often base the humor on the juxtaposition between the satire and reality. The main intent of satire is political, social, or moral and not comic. The humor of such a satire tends to be subtle, using irony and deadpan humor liberally.

Related Topics:
Parody - Humor - Tragic - Juxtaposition - Reality - Irony - Deadpan humor

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The burlesque form of satire can also be segregated into two distinct categories: High burlesque, or taking subject matter which is crude in nature and treating it in a lofty style, or low burlesque, taking subject matter traditionally dealt with in an epic or poetic fashion and degrading it.

Related Topics:
High burlesque - Low burlesque

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~ Table of Content ~

Introduction
Satire in pop culture and public media
Notable examples of satire

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Latest news on satire

Two days after decrying "deep sexism that runs through our society," Dick Morris provided more examples

Two days after characterizing the media's coverage of Gov. Sarah Palin as the result of "the deep sexism that runs through our society," Fox News contributor Dick Morris said on the September 4 edition of Neal Boortz's nationally syndicated radio show, following Palin's speech at the Republican National Convention the previous day, that "when a woman wants to attack, it's hard because she's seen as strident or shrill." Morris added: "[Sen.] Hillary [Clinton] has that problem perhaps because she is strident and shrill. But Sarah did it very pleasantly, and it was a wonderful model." Similarly, in his September 4 New York Post column, Morris wrote of Palin's speech: "Many women look bad when they attack their opponents, too often seeming strident and shrill. But Palin was funny and irreverant [sic], with a biting wit and a joy of combat that was exhilarating to watch." On the September 2 edition of Fox News' Hannity & Colmes, Morris stated of the media's coverage of Palin: "A man would never have had to go through this. That his husband -- that her husband with DWI 20 years ago, that her daughter is having a kid, that there's a fight going on between her sister and her husband and the husband tasered the kid." He added: "It would never be asked about a man. It's the deep sexism that runs through our society." During the September 3 edition of Comedy Central's The Daily Show, after airing a video clip of Morris' comment about "the deep sexism that runs through our society," host Jon Stewart highlighted several previous statements from Morris' appearance on the November 5, 2007, edition of Hannity & Colmes including, "When a woman wants to be president, she shouldn't complain based on gender," and "This is what Hillary Clinton always does -- she retreats behind the apron strings." From the September 4 edition of Cox Radio Syndication's The Neal Boortz Show: MORRIS: I think a couple of things happened. First of all, we discovered a superstar last night. BOORTZ: You really think so? MORRIS: Oh, absolutely. This woman is incredible. And you know what it is? She brings an English parliamentary political sense to American politics. We're used to the Rocky model. BOORTZ: Yeah. MORRIS: Punch them in the ribs and train on cow carcasses. The British don't do it that way. They do it with humor, and ranking people out, and mocking them. And that's what Sarah did. And when a woman wants to attack, it's hard because she's seen as strident or shrill. Hillary has that problem -- BOORTZ: She did it very pleasantly last night. MORRIS: -- perhaps because she is strident and shrill. But Sarah did it very pleasantly and was really neat. It's a wonderful model. From Morris' September 4 New York Post column: With sass and wit, sarcasm and sincerity, courage and strength, Sarah Palin last night showed us a new model of female politician. Her family stories were genuine and real. Her commitment to special-needs children was moving. Her contempt for special interests was obvious. And her putdowns of Barack Obama's rhetoric and her praise of John McCain's character and achievements were welcome and well delivered. Many women look bad when they attack their opponents, too often seeming strident and shrill. But Palin was funny and irreverant, with a biting wit and a joy of combat that was exhilarating to watch. Sometimes she reminded us of the hockey mom she is. Other times, she was an American Margaret Thatcher - mobilizing humor and biting satire to mock the opposition. From the September 2 edition of Fox News' Hannity & Colmes: SEAN HANNITY (co-host): Well, I got to tell you, one of the things that has emerged in this campaign, in my view, is -- Sarah Palin has been now in the public spotlight for five days. There have been tougher and harder questions that have been asked relentlessly by a biased news media about her daughter than about Barack Obama, who's been running for 19 months. MORRIS: A man would never have had to go through this. That his husband -- that her husband with DWI 20 years ago, that her daughter is having a kid, that there's a fight going on between her sister and her husband and the husband tasered the kid. HANNITY: Right. MORRIS: It would never be asked about a man. It's the deep sexism that runs through our society. HANNITY: What is going to be the net result of that? MORRIS: Well, right now, the whole election hangs in the balance. If McCain has to get rid of Palin, get rid of McCain. He's dead.