Satire: Literary Device

Etymology of Satire

The word “satire” originates from the Latin word “satura.” It means a mixture or medley. It was common in ancient Rome used in a form of poetry, having mixed different styles and subjects. With time, the meaning of “satire” evolved to refer to a literary work that specifically uses irony, sarcasm, and ridicule as tools to criticize or expose human follies, or vices or wrongdoings.

Meanings of Satire

Characteristics of Satire
Literary Genre	It is a literary genre.
Elements	It uses humor, irony, and exaggeration.
Targets	Criticizes or reveals human follies, vices, wrongdoings, social vices, or political stupidity.
Tone	Often employs a sharp, biting tone.
Targets of Critique	Challenges authority, hypocrisy, and stupidity.
Purpose	Aims to provoke critical thinking.
Ultimate Goal	Seeks to bring about social change.

Satire in Grammar

• Singular Noun: “satire” is a singular noun.
• Plural Verb in Sentences: In a sentence, “satire” takes a plural verb. This is because it refers to a genre with multiple works or instances of satire.
• Correct Usage: For example, “Satire is a powerful tool for social commentary” demonstrates the correct use of “satire” as a singular noun.
• Incorrect Usage: “Satire are a powerful tool for social commentary” is an incorrect use of “satire” as a plural noun.
• Subject-Verb Agreement: Interestingly, it can be correct to say “Satire often provoke laughter and reflection” instead of “Satire often provokes laughter and reflection.” In this case, the plural verb “provoke” agrees with the plural subject “satire.”

Definition of Satire as a Literary Device

As a literary device, it is used within various genres of literature, such as novels, plays, poems, or essays. It involves using other literary devices such as irony, sarcasm, or wit with the aim to expose and criticize human follies, flaws, hypocrisy, or foolishness.

Types of Satire

Type	Detail	Example
Horatian satire	It has been named after the Roman satirist Horace. It uses a gentle, playful, and lighthearted tone to criticize human folly and social vices. Its main objective is to amuse and entertain rather than offend or outrage.	Oscar Wilde’s play “The Importance of Being Earnest” shows the use of witty dialogue and comedic situations intended to satirize the upper-class society of the time, mocking their trivial concerns and superficial values.
Juvenalian satire	It has been named after the Roman satirist Juvenal. This type of satire is harsh, bitter, and angry. It uses sarcasm, invective, and moral indignation to attack political corruption, social injustice, and moral decadence.	George Orwell, Animal Farm is a powerful example of Juvenalian satire, as he allegorically criticizes totalitarian regimes and their abuse of power by depicting a group of farm animals who overthrow their human owner only to end up oppressed by the revolutionary pigs who take full control.
Menippean satire	This type of satire is complex and hybrid. It combines different genres such as satire, parody, and fantasy. It uses a surrealistic and absurd style to criticize the inconsistencies and contradictions of human nature and society.	Terry Gilliam’s film “Brazil” satirizes bureaucracy, totalitarianism, and technology by creating a dystopian world where bureaucracy stifles individuality and freedom. The film uses satire, dark humor, and surreal visuals to criticize the dehumanizing effects of an overly bureaucratic society.
Satire in verse	This type of satire uses poetic language and poetic devices such as rhyme, meter, and stanza to criticize social or political issues.	Alexander Pope’s mock epic “The Rape of the Lock” is a mock-heroic poem that satirizes the triviality and vanity of high society of the 18th-century England. The poem uses poetic techniques to exaggerate a trivial incident involving the cutting of a lock of hair. The purpose is to criticize the shallow values and social norms of those times.
Parody	This type imitates and exaggerates the style, tone, or content of a literary to mock or criticize it.	“Scary Movie” is a parody that mocks and satirizes the conventions and tropes of the horror genre by exaggerating and subverting them for comic effect. The film ridicules popular horror films, turning their serious elements into comedic absurdity.
Irony	This type uses language that implies the opposite of what is actually said or done. It aims to criticize or expose the hypocrisy, ignorance, or stupidity of individuals, groups, or societies.	Jonathan Swift’s essay “A Modest Proposal” suggests that the impoverished Irish should sell their children as food. This is how it is using irony to criticize the indifference of the ruling class toward the poor and expose the absurdity of their proposed solutions to social problems.

Common Examples of Satire

It is found in various forms in everyday life and communication, such as:

Type	Detail
Political Cartoons	Many editorial cartoons use it to mock politicians, their policies, or even current events.
Late-Night Talk Shows	Comedians often use satire to make fun of politicians, celebrities, and current events in their monologues.
Social Media Memes	This is a new cultural genre. Several memes use it to criticize or mock people or issues humorously.
TV Shows and Movies	Satirical TV shows and movies, such as “The Daily Show” and “Saturday Night Live,” use humor to criticize politicians and social issues.
Advertising	Some advertisements use satire to mock their competitors.
Literature	It is used in literary pieces such as novels, short stories, and poetry. Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” and George Orwell’s Animal Farm are two popular works in this connection.
Stand-up comedy	Many comedians use satire to criticize societal issues or popular culture.

Literary Examples of Satire

1. Animal Farm by George Orwell

This short novel is a satirical allegory of the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalinism. The animals on the farm led by pigs overthrow their human owner, Mr. Jones and create their own government led by the same pigs. This new regime eventually becomes corrupt and oppressive as that of Mr. Jones. Through this story, Orwell criticizes the corruption and authoritarianism of Soviet-style communism and the conduct of the revolutionaries who become as much corrupt as the old ruling class.

• Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift

This fiction prose comprising travelogues is a satire on English society and politics of the 18th century. The main character, Lemuel Gulliver, travels to various fantastical lands, such as Lilliput, each representing a different aspect of society with short, long, and distorted versions of human beings engaged in bizarre behavior. Through Gulliver’s observations and experiences, Swift criticizes the hypocrisy, greed, and corruption of his contemporary society.

• Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

 This postmodern novel is a satire on war and bureaucracy. Set during WWII, the novel follows the trajectory of the exploits of Captain John Yossarian, an American bombardier, who is trying to avoid going on more missions. The book’s title refers to a catch-22 situation in which a requirement for a situation to be true is also the requirement for it to be false. Through the absurdity of Yossarian’s situation and the bureaucracy of the military, Joseph Heller criticizes the senselessness and absurdity of war.

• “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde

This beautiful and witty play is a satire on Victorian society and its social norms. The plot of the play revolves around two men both using the name “Ernest” to escape their social obligations and pursue their romantic interests. Through witty dialogue and comic situations, Wilde criticizes the superficiality and hypocrisy of Victorian society.

• Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes

This chivalric romance shows the use of this device on the idealization of knighthood. The main character, Don Quixote, is a middle-aged gentleman who becomes delusional. He thinks he is a knight-errant, setting out on various adventures. Through Don Quixote’s misguided actions and the reactions of those around him, Cervantes criticizes the romanticization of chivalry and the impracticality of idealism.

Suggested Readings

1. Bakhtin, Mikhail. Rabelais and His World. Indiana University Press, 1984.
2. Combe, Kirk, and Brian A. Connery, eds. Theorizing Satire: Essays in Literary Criticism. St. Martin’s Press, 1995.
3. Highet, Gilbert. Anatomy of satire. Vol. 1353. Princeton University Press, 2015.
4. Hutcheon, Linda. Irony, Satire, and Parody in Canadian Fiction. Indiana University Press, 2000.
5. Swift, Jonathan. A Modest Proposal. Penguin Classics, 2003.
6. Waugh, Patricia. Literary Theory and Criticism: An Oxford Guide. Oxford University Press, 2006.