Parody: Literary Device

Etymology of Parody

The word “parody” traces its roots back to the Greek word parōidia. It is a combination of para (meaning “beside” or “alongside”) and ōidē (meaning “song” or “ode”). The term originally referred to a type of poetic composition that imitated existing songs or verses, often with a satirical or humorous intention. The concept of parody evolved further in ancient Greek and Roman theatre, where it involved the imitation and exaggerated portrayal of well-known characters and their actions for comedic effect.

Meanings of Parody

1. Imitating Style, Tone, and Content: A parody directly imitates and replicates the specific style, tone, and content of a particular work, author, or genre.
2. Commentary and Critique: Parodies are created with the purpose of providing commentary or criticism on the original work or genre that is being parodied.
3. Humorous or Serious: Parodies can be created with a humorous intent, aiming to entertain and provoke laughter, or they can be more serious in nature, aiming to provoke thought and reflection.
4. Exaggeration and Irony: Parodies often use techniques such as exaggeration and irony to emphasize and mock the flaws or peculiarities of the original work or genre.
5. Cultural Commentary: Parodies serve as a means of cultural commentary, offering insights and criticisms of social and political norms that are present in society.
6. Historical Use: Parodies have been used throughout history as a means to challenge established societal and political norms, providing a platform for satire and criticism.

Parody in Grammar

• Noun: In grammar, “parody” primarily functions as a noun, referring to a humorous or satirical imitation of a particular work, author, or genre.
• Adjective: “Parody” can also be used as an adjective to describe something that resembles or is characteristic of a parody. For example, “a parody film” or “parody lyrics.”
• Verb: As a verb, “parody” describes the act of creating or imitating a work, author, or genre in a humorous or satirical manner. For example, “They parodied the popular TV show with their own comedic sketch.”
• Gerund: The gerund form of “parody” functions as a noun and is formed by adding “-ing” to the verb form. For example, “Creating parodies is his favorite hobby.”
• Participial Adjective: The present participle form of “parody” (-ing form) can be used as an adjective to describe something that is in the process of being parodied. For example, “The singer delivered a parody performance, imitating famous musicians.”
• Derived Forms: Additional derived forms of “parody” include “parodied” (past tense verb), “parodies” (plural noun), and “parodying” (present participle verb).

Remember, the different grammatical forms of it allow for versatility in expressing the concept of humorous or satirical imitation in various linguistic contexts.

Definition of Parody

As a literary device, it is an imitation of a particular work or style of writing in a way that exaggerates or emphasizes its key features for humorous or satirical effect. It is intended to mock or ridicule the original work, author, or genre by exposing its flaws, exaggerating its weaknesses, or turning its conventions on their head.

Types of Parody

There are several types of parody, each of which involves a different approach to imitating and mocking an original work or genre. Some common types of parody include:

Type	Definition	Example
Satirical	Uses humor to critique or ridicule a subject, employing irony and exaggeration to highlight flaws	“Saturday Night Live” sketches are well-known for their satirical parodies of political figures and social issues. For example, their skits imitating politicians like Donald Trump or their satirical commentary on current events provide humorous critiques of the political landscape.
Musical	Alters lyrics or melody of existing songs for humorous effect	“Weird Al” Yankovic is famous for his musical parodies. He takes popular songs and changes the lyrics to create humorous and often satirical versions. For instance, his parody of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” is transformed into “Eat It,” featuring comical lyrics that poke fun at food and eating habits.
Literary	Imitates style and content of an author or work for humorous effect	Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey is a literary parody that humorously imitates and satirizes the Gothic novel genre. Austen exaggerates the conventions and tropes of Gothic literature to create a witty commentary on the genre’s melodramatic elements.
Film	Imitates style and content of a film or genre for humorous effect	Mel Brooks’ “Blazing Saddles” is a classic film parody that satirizes the Western genre. Through clever dialogue, comedic situations, and deliberate exaggeration, the movie both pays homage to and mocks the conventions of traditional Western films.
Commercial	Imitates style and content of an advertisement for humorous effect	The “Got Milk?” ads have become well-known and have been parodied numerous times. These parodies often mimic the iconic “Got Milk?” format but present humorous twists or alternate messages, showcasing how parody can playfully subvert the original advertising message. Another example is the “This Is SportsCenter” ads, which have been parodied in various forms of media, such as online videos or TV shows, mimicking the humorous tone and style of the original commercials while offering satirical or comedic commentary.

Suggested Readings

1. Eco, Umberto. The Role of the Reader: Explorations in the Semiotics of Texts. Indiana University Press, 1984.
2. Hutcheon, Linda. A Theory of Parody: The Teachings of Twentieth-Century Art Forms. University of Illinois Press, 2000.
3. Rabkin, Eric S. The Fantastic in Literature. Princeton University Press, 1976.
4. Rose, Maragret. Parody: Ancient, Modern, and Post-Modern. Cambridge University Press, 1995.
5. Wickham, Glynne William Gladstone. A History of the Theatre. Routledge, 2014.