Here's a breakdown:
* Purpose: Satire aims to bring about change or reform by exposing flaws and prompting reflection. It's often used to challenge authority, societal norms, or human behavior.
* Methods: Satirists use various techniques, including:
* Irony: Saying one thing but meaning the opposite.
* Hyperbole: Extreme exaggeration for emphasis.
* Understatement: Deliberately downplaying something to make it seem insignificant.
* Parody: Mockingly imitating another work or style.
* Sarcasm: Bitter or mocking remarks.
* Target: The target of satire can be anything from individuals to institutions, political systems, or even humanity as a whole.
* Effect: Satire can be funny, thought-provoking, and even biting. It aims to make its audience laugh while simultaneously making them think.
Examples:
* Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal" ridicules the British government's treatment of the Irish poor by suggesting they eat their children.
* George Orwell's "Animal Farm" satirizes the Russian Revolution and the dangers of totalitarianism.
* The Daily Show uses humor and irony to comment on current events and political figures.
In essence, satire is a powerful tool that uses humor to shine a light on the flaws of our world, encouraging us to question and ultimately improve it.