The examples in the packet were of two types: Realist and Modern. The effectiveness of Twain’s satire emerges directly from the literary paradigm of realism because it enables him to play the “straight man” and mock realism while outwardly participating in it. Similarly, modern satire depends upon perspective—it is the difference between the narrative perspective, the writer’s perspective, and the reader’s perspective that creates the humor and makes the point. Some people argue that satire is a lost art because we are such an ironic and politically correct culture that its effect is reduced. They observe that most modern satire is made up of simple shock-jokes rather than “genuine” satire. Using the packet as evidence, discuss the differences and similarities in the two periods of satire and their relative effectiveness and humor. Feel free to discuss other examples like South Park, Family Guy, The Daily Show, etc.
Family Guy is much better satire than Mark Twain because it still makes intelligent points if you are willing to listen to them, but it isn't boring like Mark Twain is, so more people pay attention to Family Guy for longer.
ReplyDelete-asmigelsky
Twain's satire is more fun to read and conveys his purpose better because what he says is applicable to a large portion of his audience. Most of us recognize the differences between men and women and remeber being young.
ReplyDeleteThe other articles in the packet on the other hand are only amusing to those who are up to date on current issues and technology.
So at least for me, Twain's writings were much more entertaining.
-jumping.lily
I feel like both Mark Twain and Family Guy are brilliant satire, but the general public is more in tune with shows like Family Guy beacuse they are a) animated, and b) put into a 21st century context and are more relatable to everyday life.
ReplyDelete-ViciousTrollup
I'm a super big fan of The Simpsons and I think both the Twain satire and Simpson satire are very different but effective in the same way. In a politically centered culture, the Simpson's is hilarious because it's so irrevrent.
ReplyDeleteSue
Dear asmigelsky,
ReplyDeleteI think Mark Twain makes extremely good points too, and that if you're going to argue that family guy does, you shouldn't rule out Mark Twain.
I think that modern day satire isn't as interesting, because most of it is centered around politics, and not life for the average person. Personally, Twain's satire was more interesting to read because it related to the lives of everyone, and it was something that even an average person would undesrstand. Although the article in the packet about the students in inner city slums knowing the metric measurements was incredbly amusing, it just wasn't as interesting to read as the older ones.
ReplyDelete-Yellow Rose
I feel like satire has become used more in television programs, and less about foreign affairs and politics. However, in Saturday Night Live, etc, they still can 'make fun' of important issues,but the amount of concern is lowered on the ACTUAl problems.
ReplyDelete-cheers
Family Guy et al is hilarious. However, while it does make some entertaining/clever satiric remarks about the world, it also relies on "shock tactics" to keep the audiences who aren't so in tune with clever satire.
ReplyDeleteDouglas Adams and the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is one of my favorite satires. He makes fun of just about everything by taking it out of a familiar context--behaviors "normal" for humans, of course, seem really stupid when noted among alien cultures. It lets us laugh at ourselves.
Ford Prefect
I agree with cheers. The more we poke fun at the important stuff, the less important it seems and the more of a joke it becomes.
ReplyDelete-ViciousTrollup
Modern satire is all about shocking people and violating political correctness. I don't think that's near as insightful as Twain writing about war, for example. On the other hand, the Onion is funny and probably more entertaining to a modern reader.
ReplyDeletePhaedrus
I think that modern day satire is hilarious. It points out a problems but also allows us to look at ourselves in a humorous light because it is relatable. Mark Twain was also very relatable as he presented very well the nature and thought processes of human beings. Satire is a medium that is able to take the serious and make it light and entertaining, but it has to be read from the right perspective and understanding for its meaning to be effectively conveyed. My mom read the satire article about inner city kids and got SO offended because of the way she interpreted it.
ReplyDeleteBecky
Becky
I agree with Becky, interpretation is key.
ReplyDeleteIt is kinda sad to think that culture is so politically correct that we cannt laugh at something because it might affend someone but at the same time there are amyn shows that have a lot of satire and are very popular, i think it's important to respect boundries but the same time you cannot be mad at humor.
ReplyDelete-laxchickie
As it was already said before: Today's satire, at least in Family Guy, The Simpsons, etc., relies on shock factor. I watched this interview with the creators of Family guy and one of the writers says that they pride themselves on the fact that Family guy keeps pushing the envelope in today's society.
ReplyDelete-ViciousTrollup
I think that it's hard to judge modern satire right now. Twain's been around for a very long time and his satire still is really funny to us. But that doesn't apply to all old political cartoons or satire, many of those don't seem very funny to us anymore. So I think that like anything else, some good modern satire will be kept and will be on par with other works while most of it will be thrown away. Like Shakespeare versus other playrights - some things continue, some only are prominent in the present. But the stuff that points just to the present has its place, too.
ReplyDelete- Zaphod Beeblebrox
- Zaphod Beeblebrox
Its difficult for me to watch shows like south park and family guy because they have such rude humor sometimes so it is difficult for me to respond when I dont get exposed to much modern satire. But in literature i have an easier time absorbing and appreciating satire. I just finished "Fool" by Christopher Moore which was excellent satire...it was extremely dirty satire...but still entertaining satire.
ReplyDeleteTelevison shows such as south park may be examples of losing the art of satire as most of it is shock value.
ReplyDelete-leo
to shinnanigans- I agree. And I think the fact that shows like famiy guy and south park are so crude makes them less of intelligent satire and more of just a show that will do anything to shock and make the audience laugh.
ReplyDelete-jumping.lily
I agree with shinnanigans and leo. I think that today's satire, especially those that we are talking about mostly, like family guy ans south park and the simpsons rely much more on the shock humor that comes from viewers. A lot of the humor on both of those shows make people laugh, not becuase they are truly hilarious critiques of society, it's funny because a viewer can't really believe that that just happened or that they just did that. I think that the onion is still an example of good satire, and the TV shows that we're talking about are just examples of modern day humor. Just my opinion.
ReplyDelete-Yellow Rose
Completely and totally agree with ViciousTrollup: it's not which one is "better" it's which one is more easily relatable to, and more contemporary.
ReplyDeletelillipbaum
Mark Twain's satire was enjoyable and funny because it relates to everyone. Even after he's gone and no longer writing, we can still read his work and relate it to our own lives. THAT is what makes him an amazing writer. I agree that satire is a lost art. Today, 'satire' is just about who can be the rudest and most politically incorrect and get away with it. As many other people have said, it's all about shock value now.
ReplyDeleteUp and Over
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