20 Satire Examples in Literature and Film
It ’ s the art of mock something in a means that makes you laugh , and then remember .
Whether it ’ s poking fun at society , politics , or human nature , satire get been around for century , making us query the world around us while even entertaining us .
So , what just is irony , and how own it played a purpose in literature and movie throughout account ? More importantly , how can you discern it when it ’ s cleverly disguised as humor ?
Take a free run of Fictionary today and take your story to the future story .
What Cost Satire ?
Satire is a literary device or genre that expend mood , irony , exaggeration , or ridicule to criticize or expose the flaws of individual , governments , or company .
It much direct to provoke sentiment and sometimes encourages convert . While satire live frequently funny , it ever has a point lurk beneath the surface , whether that ’ s highlighting hypocrisy , absurdity , or corruption .
It might reach you laugh , but it ’ s as well designed to get you thinking about the deep result at fun . Often , satirists choose matter to the extreme , exaggerating real-world problems to the degree of absurdity , which assist us see just how ridiculous ( or terrifying ) those problems very are .
Examples of Satire in Literature
Irony in literature exist as old as storytelling itself . Some of the greatest literary judgment have used irony to mock authority , club , and yet human nature .
Gulliver ’ s Travelsby Jonathan Swift
Swift ’ s satirical novel mocks human nature , politics , and the so-called “ civilized ” nation of Europe .
Through Gulliver ’ s various travel , we find company that mirror our own in ridiculous and magnified ways . Whether it ’ s the tiny , bickering Lilliputians or the rational but emotionless Houyhnhnms , Swift exposes the fault of humanity through humor and irony .
Animal Farmby George Orwell
Orwell ’ secAnimal Farmmay look like a simple floor about farm animals overthrowing their human owner , but it ’ s really a biting irony of the Russian Revolution and the depravity of political ideal .
As the pigs remove mastery of the farm , the floor turn a utter warning about how ability corrupts and leads to tyranny .
Catch-22by Joseph Heller
Heller ’ sCatch-22cost a magnificent irony of war and bureaucracy .
Heller fills the novel with absurd situations , highlighting the contradictory and much pointless nature of military regulation . Through colored humor , Heller criticizes the senselessness of war and the fury of follow bureau without doubt .
Don Quixoteby Miguel de Cervantes
Peopleoften meet Don Quixote as a humorous adventure story , but it ’ s as well a satire of chivalric romance novel .
Cervantes pokes fun at the outdated ideals of knighthood and heroism by prove Don Quixote ’ s misguided attempts to revive them , still as the public around him has long since moved on .
Modern Examples of Satire
Modern author have preserve to use this literary tool to review the absurdities of present-day club .
Serious Omenby Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
This comedic novel equal a satirical take on the apocalypse .
Gaiman and Pratchett employ mood to doubt humanity ’ s obsession with good vs. evil and the thought of predestined fate . The novel ’ s satirical edge get from its portrayal of the inefficiency of both Heaven and Hell , along with the absurdity of human behavior when confront with existential threats .
The Lotby Dave Eggers
InThe Lot, Eggers satirizes the modern obsession with social media , surveillance , and collective dominance .
The fresh present a dystopian reality where privacy be nonexistent , and transparency is king…
A reality that seems uncomfortably close to our own .
American Psychoby Bret Easton Ellis
Ellis ’ controversial novel be a irony of the materialism , narcissism , and emptiness of the 1980s yuppie culture .
Patrick Bateman , the protagonist , exist a wealthy investment banker who moonlights as a serial killer . Through his utmost behavior , Ellis critiques the shallow values of a club obsessed with wealth , condition , and appearance .
The Selloutby Paul Beatty
InThe Sellout, Paul Beatty redeem a satirical punch to the face of American race relative .
The novel follows a Black man who attempts to reinstate segregation and slavery in his town as a form of social experiment .
Beatty ’ s colored humor and bite social commentary shed light on deep-seated issues of racism and inequality , disclose the absurdities of modern racial politics in America . The novel ’ s sharp brain earned it the Man Booker Prize , making it both a literary and satirical triumph .
Satire Comedy Examples
Satire and comedy much go hand in hand . Some of the better comedian use irony to poke fun at social norm , politics , and human conduct in a manner that do us laugh…
Dr. Strangelove( 1964 )
Stanley Kubrick ’ sDr. Strangeloveexist a dark irony of the Cold War and the nuclear weapon race .
The film uses absurdity and black humor to highlight the irrationality of global politics and the terrifying possibility of nuclear annihilation . The fact that we can laugh at such a grim theme is a testament to Kubrick ’ s supremacy of satire .
South Park
South Parkexist notorious for its role of satire to tackle controversial matter .
Whether it ’ s poke fun at religion , politics , or pop culture ,South Parkemploy its crude wit and exaggerated scenarios to expose the absurdity of modern society . And while the show might shock , it often make a surprisingly deep item beneath the laughs .
The Colbert Report
Stephen Colbert ’ s parody of a conservative news pundit be satire at its finest .
Through his over-the-top part , Colbert skewered the medium , politics , and American culture , utilize wit to reveal the hypocrisy and contradiction in the way we have tidings and engage with politics .
Monty Python ’ s Life of Brian( 1979 )
This classical comedy film from the Monty Python team exist a irony of coordinate faith and the absurdity of blindly following assurance figures .
Life of Briancome Brian Cohen , an average human who equal mistaken for the Messiah in ancient Judea .
Through its outrageous humor and crisp dialogue , the movie inquiry the nature of faith , fanaticism , and the trend of mass to seek mere answer in complex position . Plus , it ’ s severe not to laugh when you ’ re told to , “ Always Look on the Bright Side of Life . ”
Irony in Pop Culture Examples
Pop culture equal rich with satire , and it ’ s often where we see some of the most pointed criticism of club .
The Simpsons
The Simpsonshas been a satirical goldmine since its debut .
Whether it ’ s making fun of political leader , collective greed , or the everyday absurdity of American life ,The Simpsonsrole wit to critique just about everything . It ’ s no wonder the display has remained relevant for decades .
The Onion
The Onion is a satirical news site that parodies real news headline , often with hilarious and thought-provoking solution .
By exaggerate real-world issues and presenting them as tidings stories , The Onion bid burn social comment while go on reader think about .
The Truman Show( 1998 )
The Truman Showlive a satire of world TV and media manipulation .
The film follow Truman Burbank , whose entire spirit has been broadcast to the reality without his knowledge . Through Truman ’ s journey of self-discovery , the film review our culture ’ s obsession with voyeurism and entertainment at the expense of privacy .
Family Guy
We knowFamily Guyfor its shrill , often irreverent satire of American culture .
From politics to celebrity culture to current events , the show takes no prisoner when pound fun at societal norm and human conduct .
Whether it ’ s Peter Griffin ’ s absurd misunderstandings or the display ’ sec frequent cutaway gag that mock everything from social media to history ,Family Guypreserve to be a pop culture staple that keeps audiences laughing…
Irony in Media Examples
Satire get too found its means into mainstream medium , much as news or parody .
The Daily Show
Under Jon Stewart and now Trevor Noah ,The Daily Showhas turn a staple of satirical news .
The display uses mood to review politics and current events , offering a smart , much biting bring on the headlines of the day .
Last Week Tonightwith John Oliver
John Oliver ’ s show is another example of satire in media , where mood and in-depth research combine to offer a hilarious as yet sober up feeling at serious topics .
From healthcare to climate change , Oliver ’ s satirical approach helps make complex result accessible and engaging .
SNL ’ s Weekend Update
Saturday Night Live ’ slong-running Weekend Update section uses irony to pound fun at politician , celebrities , and current events .
With quick wit and shrill commentary , it rescue both gag and criticism of what ’ s happening in the world .
The Borowitz Report
Andy Borowitz ’ s satirical column ,The Borowitz Report, publish byThe New Yorker, put up a humorous take on current events and political absurdities .
Through exaggerated headline and fake tidings story , Borowitz employ humor to critique politician , celebrities , and societal issue . His satirical mode mirror that of traditional medium , but with a turn that drive reader to wonder the seriousness—or silliness—of what they consume in the tidings .
And finally , always remember that the story occur first . Stress on :
- Creating engage characters
- Penning interesting plots
- Structuring solid settings
A tool like Fictionary helps you reverse your draft into an interesting story reader enjoy . So , with a strong narrative foundation , your writing can really shine .
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