Humor And Satire In Literature

Comedic writing in literature is a device used to uplift readers, which applies to satirical writing as well. Both comedy and satire, although very similar in their methods of delivery, have slightly different purposes in literature. Comedic writing is just simple entertainment achieved through laughter, its humor has no higher purpose. Similarly, satirical writing uses humor to entertain its readers, it’s just that satire actually has a purpose. Satire uses comedic devices, like sarcasm and irony, to expose the flaws and hypocrisy of society. Humor is used to reveal and criticize corruption in society that is normally ignored, in a general effort to invoke change.
However, within the literary genre of satire there are three subgenres that …show more content…
For most of the novel Eddie planned on becoming a teacher and after a few years of strategically floating through college he eventually had the opportunity to become an assistant teacher for Herbert Spencer Junior High. Yet, he quickly witnessed the unfortunate circumstances of his career choice. The students were barbaric and the teachers were constantly belittled, thus giving the impression of a disastrous educational system. Eddie was also advised by a fellow educator that he should get a respectable job instead of teaching, something like collecting garbage (p.116). The statement expresses the notion that handling and working amongst waste is better than educating the future generation, so children in this case are beneath trash. As comical as the exaggerated statement is, it’s also just as alarming. Oxymorons were another device used to reveal hypocrisy through laughter. As previously mentioned Eddie’s college is filled with feminist who strongly despise males for no reason, despite trying to achieve the same rights and respect as men have. Eddie also encountered a peace group, The New People’s Army, who “advocate peace and controlled terrorism” (p.17). Thus, through exaggeration and oxymorons, which reveal hypocrisy blatantly, it’s evident that Delano is a satirical …show more content…
The satirical boundaries of the novel are met when Eddie is dealing with personal dilemmas like his career, infidelity, and self-judgment. These situations aren’t humorous or subtle, which are necessary elements for satirical writing. During these moments the first person perspective of the novel allows readers not to simply witness moments of Eddie’s life, but to experience his emotions as well. Readers may begin to sympathize when Eddie’s doubts of his career choice, the betrayal of a significant other, and the realizations of his flaws (p.132). These matters aren’t naturally funny and they don’t seem to expose any injustice, they simply move the story along from one situation to another. If it weren’t for these serious moments Delano wouldn’t have the necessary characteristics of a novel. Therefore, Delano can be deemed a satire for its use of humor to help reveal hypocrisy and corruption within different aspects of society. Yet, the main focus on government institutions and groups with political agendas accurately classifies the novel as a juvenalian satire. It’s through Eddie Delano’s perspective that readers receive the criticism of society; some may agree or disagree with the judgments passed. Either way reflection is brought upon the certain aspects of society, which normally go unnoticed, through the simple use of