Purpose:
* Satire: Aims to criticize and ridicule societal flaws, individuals, or institutions. It seeks to expose hypocrisy and absurdity, often with the intent to bring about change.
* Fable: Aims to teach a moral lesson about human nature or behavior. It uses simple, allegorical stories to convey universal truths, often with animals as characters.
Tone:
* Satire: Can be sharp, biting, cynical, and often humorous. It uses irony, sarcasm, and exaggeration to highlight the ridiculousness of its target.
* Fable: Usually has a straightforward, didactic tone. It presents its lesson in a clear and concise manner, often ending with a moral explicitly stated.
Structure:
* Satire: Can take various forms, including novels, plays, essays, poems, and even cartoons. It often uses realistic settings and characters, even if they are exaggerated or satirical.
* Fable: Typically a short, concise story with a simple plot. It features animal characters, personified with human traits, who represent different human qualities or vices.
Examples:
* Satire: *Animal Farm* by George Orwell (satirizes the Russian Revolution and totalitarian regimes), *The Daily Show* (satirizes current events and political figures), *Monty Python and the Holy Grail* (satirizes medieval legends and chivalry).
* Fable: *The Tortoise and the Hare* (teaches the lesson of perseverance), *The Boy Who Cried Wolf* (teaches the dangers of lying), *Aesop's Fables* (a collection of short stories with moral lessons).
In summary:
* Satire is a form of commentary that critiques society and aims for change, while fables are stories that teach moral lessons.
* Satire uses humor and irony, while fables use simple allegorical stories.
* Satire can take various forms, while fables are typically short and concise.
Both forms are powerful tools for conveying meaning and promoting reflection, but they achieve their goals through different means.