Satire

Mockumentaries ultimately exist to parody serious subject matters that are addressed in documentaries. Conventions and techniques are utilised by the composers and directors of mockumentaries in order to do this. In particular, the mockumentaries 'Babakuieria' (1986) directed by Don Featherstone and 'The Majestic Plastic Bag' (2010) directed by Jeremy Konner both attempt to mock prominent issues that exist in society. Despite the different purpose of both mockumentaries, many similarities also…

Jonathan Swift’s article “A Modest Proposal” (1729) discusses Ireland’s ailments and how the English are oppressing the Irish. Swift discusses a possible solution to Ireland’s poverty, proposing a plan to sell off Irish babies to the English. Swift’s purpose by making this satirical proposal is to shock the English into seeing how oppressive they are, in order to bring about change in Ireland. The critical tone of Swift’s writing leads me to believe that this article is intended namely for the…

Irony and skepticism often undergo a dual role throughout literature to primarily degrade an opponent’s argument with the intent to support their own. By taking into consideration the weaknesses and insignificant incites of the opponent’s argument an author can successfully lead his audience to perceive the other’s complaint as ridiculous and unnecessary. Through persistent sarcasm and obvious insincerity, a previously sound and cordial argument can appear fallacious. As exemplified in the…

Swift had the ultimate solution to dissolve poverty, hardship, and financial burdens for the people of Ireland. His plan was quite simple. Fatten, sell, and devour the young. Although Jonathan Swift’s writings were misinterpreted and found controversial “I do therefore humbly offer it to public consideration…that the remaining hundred thousand may at a year old be offered in sale… (233), it was this type of irony or indirect contradiction that he obviously felt was needed to capture his reader’s…

In Jonathan Swift`s A Modest Proposal, Swift expresses his soaring agitation with Ireland`s political leaders, the hypocrisy of the affluent, the despotism of the English, and the squalor in which he catches so many of his people living. Swift uses logos, visual imagery, and a desperate, satirical and serious tone to convey his thoughts. He demonstrates that a nation`s most significant problem can come from oppression in hopes that not only outsiders but that other Irish people will stand up and…

Some subjects are considered dangerous or impossible to address formally or face to face. Therefore, that’s where humorists play a role. Alaine de Botton, author of “Status Anxiety,” believes that because humorists can say things that other people will not, they are there to convey messages that are too dangerous to state directly. Humorists, like ones on Saturday Night Live and in movies, use comedy and jokes to bring about difficult messages. Saturday Night Live (SNL) often uses satirical…

In the novel, I Can't Make This Up written by Kevin Hart, and the short story A Modest Proposal written by Jonathan Swift, humor is used to highlight the faults in society. Whether it is stealing, racial tension, poverty, height, or an abusive relationship. Kevin uses a morbid style of humor to release the tension of his audiences, and also the reader. In A Modest Proposal, humor is used by the author to offer an absolutely ridiculous recommendation to deal with poverty. The title is ridiculous…

Children as a source of food? Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” doesn't fall shy from this brazen idea. “A Modest Proposal” is a satirical piece in which Swift vents his irritation of Irish and English Politics and the treatment the Irish citizens received from England. Swift’s irritation doesn’t stop at England’s ruling, he criticizes the Irish settling for exploitation, discrimination and their inability to muster out of the situation. Swift chew’s over these ideas in such a satirical…

Before one can write about a political cartoon which greatly depicts two Congressman, Matthew Lyon of Vermont, and Roger Griswold of Connecticut, fighting on the floor of Congress in 1798, one needs to know what a political comic or cartoon is. A brief definition would do: Political cartoons are defined as illustrations or comic strips containing a political or social message that usually relates to current events or personalities. Now with that out of the way, we may proceed. Generally, when it…

Social constraints and prejudice placed on people by society had and still have substantial effects. This allows ignorant people to develop preconceived notions and judgments of individuals based on what society have deemed them to be. The struggle for equality can push people to break away from barriers; however, many tend to stick within the framework that society has constructed for them due to the constraints that they place on themselves. Both Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” and…