Satire and parody

Satire

Satire is a technique that ridicules particular people or objects in order to point out problems in an attempt to instigate (bring about) change. Politicians, social structures and racist or prejudiced public opinions and systems are the most common targets of satirical compositions. Satirists (people who compose satire) often use techniques such as irony, hyperbole, understatement, allegories and parody in order to ridicule their subjects.

Satire is a very popular means by which to get a point across. Many television shows use satire for comedy as well as for pointing out problems with society. Examples include The Simpsons, Futurama, Frontline, The Chaser, South Park, The Family Guy and American Dad. Newspaper cartoonists often use satire in cartoons. A common technique is to use caricature of famous or influential people. A caricature is a picture that exaggerates the characteristics and physical features of a particular person, often in an attempt to ridicule them. Refer to Text one for an example of a caricature.

If the purpose of satire is to instigate or bring about change in society, why then is it effective to combine criticisms with humour and wit?

• One reason may be that when a criticism is phrased comically it is easier for the audience to accept.
• Consider also that satire often ridicules influential and powerful people. Do you think that by reducing the situation to humour that the satirist implies that the problem may be easier to deal with than one might think?
• Perhaps, also, humour is a medium that engages a diverse range of people as it has an impact on audiences on different layers.

Ultimately, the effect will depend largely on the composer as well as the responder. Think to yourself when you approach a satirical text, 'Why has the composer used satire rather than just stating their opinions? Does this make it more effective? Why?'

In order for you to effectively understand and explain satire in any given text, you need to be able to:

• Explain the composer's point of view (what are they criticising?).
• Describe the aspects of the target the composer is ridiculing.
• Explain the language techniques the composer is using to achieve this.
• Explain what you believe the impact of the text is on the audience.

Text two is an example.

The composer's point of view is that Howard is Costello's master. It implies that Costello is weak. The composer ridicules both individuals. This has been achieved through the use of caricature. The audience is positioned so that they are not threatened by the Prime Minister, as he is portrayed as a harmless monkey, and to feel embarrassed for and shocked by the treatment of Peter Costello.

Parody

As a form of satire, a parody takes an original text and alters it to make a new meaning. In a general sense this is done to ridicule the original text. Common examples in modern popular culture include spoof films such as the series of Scary Movie films. The composer of these spoofs has created a parody of the conventions and clichés of the horror film genre. A parody often takes an original storyline or plot and puts the characters and so forth into a vastly different context for humorous effect. In contemporary film, this technique is usually satirical and aims to ridicule the original text. The Scary Movies, for example, ridicule the clichéd conventions of horror films.

Note: It is essential that a distinction is made between parody and subversion and appropriation of text. While a subversion or appropriation may be a parody, it is not necessarily so. For example Clueless, directed by Amy Heckerling, is an appropriation of the novel Emma by Jane Austen but is not a parody. Clueless aims to communicate similar themes and issues as Emma in a modern context, so that they are more relevant for a modern audience. Scary Movie, on the other hand, is a subversion of the original texts and also serves as a parody. The question to ask of a text is:

• Does this subversion or appropriation ridicule the original text or is it simply a repackaging of the themes, issues or characters?