Modern Satire (Blog 4 - EC)

Modern Satire

Lately we have been studying works of persuasion and satire that were written decades ago, some dating back to the late 1700’s.  But the art of Satire has not been forgotten.  Today, in modern society, there are many examples of satirical expression that help people to get their views and opinions out to the world.  A lot of it is now found on television, but there satire is still prevalent throughout newspapers, books, magazines, and radio.

Satire is generally associated with its literary form in writings and essays, but it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts.  Satire is mainly the use of ridicule and wit to try to shame an individual, a certain group, or society as a whole into improvement.  The device of satire is often meant to be funny, but it has an even greater underlying purpose to criticize and motivate change.

On television, we see satirical programs like Saturday Night Live (SNL) where comedians act out in front of a live studio audience to different sketches on cultural humor and political opinions of modern day.  One of the more popular and reoccurring skits, Weekend Update, gives two actors a chance to banter back and forth about current events in politics, foreign affairs, and local scandals, just as if they were an actual news station.  Each new topic is presented with a picture and a brief background on what exactly is happening with that specific item.  Then the co-hosts make a joke or a “satirical statement” that leaves the audience laughing and cringing at the same time.  That, in effect, brings the criticism and ridicule of satire into the sketch.  The audience begins with laughter, which is mainly directed at themselves or the country, and then they realize the mistake the two co-hosts have pointed out.  Weekend Update is simply a way for the writers, producers, and actors of the show to convey their opinions about current events and to inform people on the mistakes and mess-ups of our country.

Another popular form of satire is the “spoof.”

Spoofs are also a form of modern satire.  Movies are created off of popular films and stories are changed and altered.  They generally are making fun of “B” movies, or lower-ranked movies, and criticizing the directing, acting, and the script.  Movies like “Vampires Suck,” “Scary Movie,” and “Thumb Wars” are all examples of spoofs.

Another very popular and British satirical example is the Monty Python series.  They portray many different historical legends and events but put a hilarious twist on them.  The Holy Grail tells the story of Camelot’s Knights of the Round Table and their quest to find the Holy Grail during medieval times.  Each of the different knights has a different trait that distinguishes them from the others and makes them flawed.  Their flaws are what makes them entertaining to watch and still ridicules them and the ridiculousness of their journey.

In books, many different satirical writings exist all over the world and there are way too many to list here, although that might get me up to the thousand words I need for this blog.  But a more recent book has come out dripping of satire called The Onion’s Our Dumb World.  It discusses numerous countries and cuts directly to the source of the problems that country has experienced or is experiencing.  They do not feel remorse for the jokes they make because sometimes the obvious just really needs to be plainly stated.  Some examples from the book include:

On the map of South Africa, an "X" labeled: "Woman having consensual sex fantasy."
In the facts section on Iraq: "Leading Cause of Death: victory"
The subtitle of Germany: "Genocide-free since April 11, 1946"

These satirical statements are so simply put; they reek with criticism and the idiocy of these countries.  I have not read this book, but from research online and reviews of this book, I have gained that it is incredibly well written with telegraphic sentences that are sharp and to the point.  It makes light of the difficult past and present every country had or is having, but hints at an underlying seriousness in the tone of the author.

Music is yet another outlet for modern satire.  In Canada, Nancy white uses her music and lyrics to convey her personal opinion on problematic issues of today.  Some of her songs are played on CBC Radio and portray the folk-like nature of her songs.  Most would think music would not be the usual form for unveiling satire, but it is another form of expression of peoples’ opinions and ideas.  As mentioned above, SNL is a show based solely on satire, but it too has musical bits and sketches that make fun of politics and controversial topics.  One song was even written on the topic of St. Patrick’s Day and how many people associate it with a drinking holiday but there is actually a history behind it. 

Many adult-related cartoons are also created for the purpose of satire only.  South park is a prime example of that.  It deals with the issues of American culture and introduces many topics discussed in modern society, such as Semitism, atheism, homophobia, environmentalism, and corporate culture.  All of these problems and convey through the disastrous adventures of a few young boys who don’t realize the extent to which they are affecting society.  Also, the episode of Saddam Hussein, originally meant to show the humorous effect his actions had on the American and Canadian people, was actually showed to Saddam himself over and over again when he was captured by US military.  Their satirical show proved to add more insult to injury with Hussein. 

One of the most popular political satire shows is the Colbert Report, with host Steven Colbert.  He talks about current political views, scandals, and actions, as well as big government and the media.  His opinion on these events has shown to be a cause for influence in younger American voters.  This is proof that pieces with satirical elements can, in fact, influence and persuade the public into changing their views.  It also shows that satire’s process of ridicule and criticism has the power to wake people up to issues that need to be addressed.

A Modest Proposal (of eating babies) (Blog 3)

In reading Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal", we are being required to write a "short" response on our thoughts and feelings of his satirical writing style. In my opinion, seven hundred and fifty words is a bit of a stretch for "short."  Nevertheless, Swift discusses the problem in his home country, Ireland, during the early 1700s of famine and poverty.  He is writing to the people and even more so to the government, persuading them to make a call to action to solve the problem of starvation and reduce the population of the homeless.  No one seems to be listening or trying to make any effort to fix their problem, so Swift, in order to wake people up, writes an essay proposing that the people of Ireland begin to eat the babies ranging from one to two years old.  The notion itself is absurd and unethical but it is just drastic enough to catch the attention of the government.  The babies would provide food for those who are hungry and limit the number of mouths that will need to be fed later on.

Though eating a child or any other human being is cannibalism, the way Swift explains his reasons makes it sound completely reasonable and normal.  He states that from a source he heard that "a young healthy child well nursed, at a year old, [is] a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled" so at least we know a child would taste good.  Although the taste alone should be enough, he goes on to say that "a child will make two dishes at an entertainment for friends, and when the family dines alone... [it] will be very good on the fourth day."  A baby is capable of providing multiple meals which would greatly help the famine problem for many families.  It would also serve as an entertainment dish during dinner parties and might be seen as a delicacy.  Swift take his proposal to another level when he mentions the babies' skin being used to "make admirable gloves for ladies, and summer boots for fine gentlemen."  Harvesting the children would be considered fashionable as well.

His proposal will benefit those woman, or "breeders," too in which they will be paid eight shillings per annum for selling their children to be eaten and will also be reimbursed for the money they spent on the first year of nursing them to plumpness.  Swift has the audacity to state that the country's stock will be increased by fifty thousand shillings per annum because of the marketing of baby meat and gain the "profit of a new dish."  The food would most likely bring new people to taverns and restaurants and cooks could make it a more sophisticated and expensive plate.  Also, he said marriages and life in the home would be dramatically improved for the men would no longer have any want to beat their wives while pregnant for damaging the little bundle of cash inside of them.

The reason we cannot eat children of older age, Swift says, is that boys become lean and hardened and have the consistency of leather.  Girls, on the other hand, would not have the problem of taste but they are the ones set aside to be the breeders and so must be kept around once they have passed the age of eating.

Throughout the essay, Swift refers to a number of well-trusted people from America, London, and various other places that have given him solid insight on the taste and profitable aspect of eating babies.  He never actually states their names, but that's probably because they're made up.  He uses these fake sources to give himself credibility on the subject, and maybe wants the reader to think that the information given by these people was given discreetly and they do not wish for their names to be shared over such a touchy subject.

In his fifth to last paragraph, he gives a "counter argument" which, in reality, is his actual argument and solid ideas for solving the problems of his country.  The way he writes this paragraph is very accusatory towards the government and has the feeling of "hello! wake up! I have actual solutions and ways to help this country if you would just listen!"  He says that no one should speak to him of these "expedients" until they have some attempt to put them into practice.  As for the idea of eating children, Swift finally explains, he has no intention of putting it into practice.  The reader reads plainly that it was not his intention and he could not even contribute to the idea if he wanted to, for he has a nine-year old child and a wife that is well past child-bearing.