SatireSatire

Lisa SLisa S

Films and CartoonsFilms and Cartoons

Definition….Definition….

A literary work that ridicules its subject A literary work that ridicules its subject through the use of techniques such as through the use of techniques such as exaggeration, reversal, incongruity, and/or exaggeration, reversal, incongruity, and/or parody in order to make a comment or parody in order to make a comment or criticism about it. criticism about it.

ExaggerationExaggeration

To enlarge, increase, or represent something To enlarge, increase, or represent something beyond normal bounds so that it becomes beyond normal bounds so that it becomes ridiculous and its faults can be seen ridiculous and its faults can be seen

ReversalReversal

To present the opposite of the normal order To present the opposite of the normal order (e.g., the order of events, hierarchical (e.g., the order of events, hierarchical order). order).

IncongruityIncongruity

To present things that are out of place or are To present things that are out of place or are absurd in relation to its surroundings. absurd in relation to its surroundings.

ParodyParody

To imitate the techniques and/or style of To imitate the techniques and/or style of some person, place, or thing. some person, place, or thing.

ExamplesExamples

• Exaggeration Exaggeration • Princess Fiona fights and successfully defeats Robin Hood and all of his Merry Men without Princess Fiona fights and successfully defeats Robin Hood and all of his Merry Men without

any help and without any weapons.any help and without any weapons.

• Incongruity Incongruity • Princess Fiona uses her ponytail to deliver a knockout punch to one of the Merry Men. While Princess Fiona uses her ponytail to deliver a knockout punch to one of the Merry Men. While

frozen in a mid-air martial arts kick, Princess Fiona pauses to fix her disheveled hair before frozen in a mid-air martial arts kick, Princess Fiona pauses to fix her disheveled hair before knocking out two of the Merry Men.knocking out two of the Merry Men.

• Reversal Reversal • The roles of the hero and the damsel in distress have been reversed. In this clip, it is Princess The roles of the hero and the damsel in distress have been reversed. In this clip, it is Princess

Fiona, the rescuee, who fights and defeats the foe.Fiona, the rescuee, who fights and defeats the foe.

• Parody Parody • The fight scene is an exaggerated imitation of the martial arts style and special effects used in The fight scene is an exaggerated imitation of the martial arts style and special effects used in

movies such as movies such as The MatrixThe Matrix and and Crouching Tiger, Hidden DragonCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon..

Criticism about Society?Criticism about Society?

• The traditional story of the knight rescuing The traditional story of the knight rescuing the damsel-in-distress is not a realistic the damsel-in-distress is not a realistic depiction of the roles filled by men and depiction of the roles filled by men and women in modern society. women in modern society.

• Current Hollywood action movies like Current Hollywood action movies like The The MatrixMatrix have become ridiculous because have become ridiculous because they are too focused on special effects.they are too focused on special effects.

The SimpsonsThe Simpsons

Satire?Satire?

• Bart writing on the blackboard Bart writing on the blackboard • Bart on his skateboard Bart on his skateboard • Homer leaving and driving home from work Homer leaving and driving home from work • Marge at the supermarket checkout Marge at the supermarket checkout • Lisa playing the saxophone Lisa playing the saxophone • The family racing for the couch in front of The family racing for the couch in front of

the television the television

Homer BadmanHomer Badman

• "Homer Badman""Homer Badman"

Homer's life is turned upside down when he is accused of Homer's life is turned upside down when he is accused of sexual harassment by an uppity baby-sitter named Ashley sexual harassment by an uppity baby-sitter named Ashley Grant. Protestors camp out on the Simpsons' lawn and Grant. Protestors camp out on the Simpsons' lawn and reporters scrutinize Homer's every move. His attempts to reporters scrutinize Homer's every move. His attempts to clear his name are ruined by a complete lack of political clear his name are ruined by a complete lack of political correctness. The only person who can clear his name is correctness. The only person who can clear his name is Groundskeeper Willie, who not only witnessed Homer's Groundskeeper Willie, who not only witnessed Homer's alleged act of sexual harassment, but videotaped it for his alleged act of sexual harassment, but videotaped it for his amusement. amusement.

Analysing an episodeAnalysing an episode

Analyzing an Episode of The Simpsons Satirical Subject #1: Satirical Subject #2:

Example and type of satire

Example and type of satire

Example and type of satire

Comment or criticism about the subject is made by these examples