Commisso 10
According to the LiteraryDevices Editors satire is, ?A technique employed by writers to expose and criticize foolishness and corruption of an individual or a society by using humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule.?[endnoteRef:1] Satire?s ultimate purpose is to change public opinion about a certain topic. Ambrose Bierce is the perfect example of how satire is employed in literature because of his cynical demeanor and philosophical nature. Bierce?s work as a satirist demonstrates that he was one of the most philosophically charged writers of his time by using satire that provoked his readers to think of changing many blemishes faced by the society of his time. [1: Notes LiteraryDevices Editors. "Satire - Examples and Definition …show more content…
Bierce is bitter, but he also understands that humor is a part of satire. For that reason some of the definitions are present solely for the purpose of making the reader smile or laugh. For example, Bierce describes armor as, ?The kind of clothing worn by a man whose tailor is a blacksmith.?[endnoteRef:16] For the definition of hash he states, ?There is no definition for this word-nobody knows what hash is.?[endnoteRef:17] However, some of the humor Bierce writes about demonstrates how great of a satirist he actually is because it shows how self-aware he is and how his dictionary is meant to break the fourth wall. For the definition of imbecility Bierce writes, ?A kind of divine inspiration, or sacred fire affecting censorious critics of this dictionary.?[endnoteRef:18] While this definition does not call for a societal change, Bierce makes his distaste for those who attempt to censor his work known. Bierce calls the critics imbeciles in a humorous way by saying God must have inspired them to alter his art. Bierce?s self-awareness used in the dictionary is what ultimately sets it apart as a work that can still be valuable today. [16: Bierce Dictionary 18.] [17: Bierce Dictionary 98.] [18: Bierce Dictionary
According to the LiteraryDevices Editors satire is, ?A technique employed by writers to expose and criticize foolishness and corruption of an individual or a society by using humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule.?[endnoteRef:1] Satire?s ultimate purpose is to change public opinion about a certain topic. Ambrose Bierce is the perfect example of how satire is employed in literature because of his cynical demeanor and philosophical nature. Bierce?s work as a satirist demonstrates that he was one of the most philosophically charged writers of his time by using satire that provoked his readers to think of changing many blemishes faced by the society of his time. [1: Notes LiteraryDevices Editors. "Satire - Examples and Definition …show more content…
Bierce is bitter, but he also understands that humor is a part of satire. For that reason some of the definitions are present solely for the purpose of making the reader smile or laugh. For example, Bierce describes armor as, ?The kind of clothing worn by a man whose tailor is a blacksmith.?[endnoteRef:16] For the definition of hash he states, ?There is no definition for this word-nobody knows what hash is.?[endnoteRef:17] However, some of the humor Bierce writes about demonstrates how great of a satirist he actually is because it shows how self-aware he is and how his dictionary is meant to break the fourth wall. For the definition of imbecility Bierce writes, ?A kind of divine inspiration, or sacred fire affecting censorious critics of this dictionary.?[endnoteRef:18] While this definition does not call for a societal change, Bierce makes his distaste for those who attempt to censor his work known. Bierce calls the critics imbeciles in a humorous way by saying God must have inspired them to alter his art. Bierce?s self-awareness used in the dictionary is what ultimately sets it apart as a work that can still be valuable today. [16: Bierce Dictionary 18.] [17: Bierce Dictionary 98.] [18: Bierce Dictionary