Satire

In satire, some situation or person is held up for ridicule, usually with the intent to promote some change or reform in society. For a formal definition of satire, see satire, Literary Resource Center.

In order for satire to be effective, the audience must feel that the criticism is deserved.

The object of criticism should not be a victim of circumstance or individuals, but must in some sense be responsible for its flaws. Otherwise, the criticism may engender sympathy for the target of criticism and animosity toward the critic.

The critic must maintain high ethos (see The Rhetorical Triangle): the critic speaks from a position of moral/intellectual superiority. The satire will be ineffective if

• The critic lacks sufficient knowledge of the subject of criticism or if that knowledge is somehow flawed.

• The critic is unfair or unjust in his/her application of criticism.

• The critic is operating from bias, ulterior motive, or limited vision (narrow-mindedness).

• The critic is too detached or objective in his/her criticism, calling in question the need for reform.

The tone of the criticism may be harsh and angry (emphasizing “moral indignation") or laughing (emphasizing intellectual [and sometimes social] superiority).

Satire frequently employs various figures of speech and uses of irony (where what is said is not what is meant), including hyperbole (exaggeration) and understatement (presenting as less important than warranted).

Possible organizations of an essay using satire:

• Satire of a social role

  • Victim/Marginalized/Second class role: Judy Brady's essay "I Want a Wife" illustrates this approach. Think of other groups or roles where people are unfairly treated.

  • Empowered/Privileged role: In this essay, the writer might begin "I Want to Be ______________." The essay would ridicule the undeserved privilege/status received by some role or position or the abuse of power by someone or some group holding a position of power or privilege.

• Ridiculous situation:

  In this type of essay, a ridiculous solution or alternative is offered for some social problem. To be effective the ridiculous solution should

  • be an extension or exaggeration of current beliefs or attitudes toward the situation

  • be argued reasonably, suggesting a workable solution

  • by its exaggeration, highlight the essential flaw in current beliefs or attitudes

  Both Swift's "A Modest Proposal" and Pollitt's "It Takes Two" illustrate this approach. When I was in college, I considered writing a satire titled "'Till Death Do Us Part': The Christian Alternative to Divorce--Murder" to ridicule the ambivalent attitudes toward divorce in some conservative fundamentalist circles that would make divorce a greater "sin" than murder, theft, rape, or other crimes.