“HARRISON BERGERON”

KURT VONNEGUT

Satire

Definition

What is Satire?

Definition

Satire—any kind of writing, speaking, or art that ridicules some weakness in individuals or society.

Vehicles of Satire

Art

Music

Poetry/Prose

Drama/TV

Cartoons

Brainstorming

Create a list of some elements of our society (political or social) that may be or have been satirized:

Music

Weird Al Yankovic

“You’re Pitiful” satirizes the song “You’re Beautiful” by James Blunt

ProseGeorge Orwell

Television

Saturday Night Live

Cartoon

Stylistic Devices of Satire

Hyperbole: A figure of speech that uses exaggeration to emphasize strong feelings or to create a satiric effect

Understatement: The technique of creating emphasis by saying less than what is actually or literally true

Sarcasm: a type of verbal irony often in the form of a remark in which the literal meaning is complimentary but the actual meaning is critical

Verbal Irony: words of praise which convey criticism and words of criticism which convey praise

“Harrison Bergeron”

Quickwrite:

Think about the pressure you or students in your school might feel to be “the same”—to act, think, or dress the same way others do. Do you think the pressure to be the same comes from outside forces or from personal desires? Do you think being the same makes most people happy, or would they really prefer to act on their own? Jot down your thoughts.

History of Satire

Started in ancient Greece Roman Empire- Horace and Juvenal:criticized Roman’s decadence. “Golden Age”- 17th and 18th century-Jonathan Swift 19th century- went into decline besidessome exceptions like Mark Twain

Characteristics of Satire

Attempts to bring about change throughhumor Often targets social or politicalinstitutions Uses irony and exaggeration Typically attacks hypocrisy, arrogance,greed, vanity, etc.

Types of Satire

Horatian Satire- playful andgentle humor. Ex- The Rape ofthe LockJuvenalian Satire- Dark, bitter,scornfulEx- Jonathan Swift