Extra Credit Blog

Satire is a form of writing in which the author uses humor, and ridicules the subject to make light of it, and to make it humorous. Satire can be sarcastic and hilarious, but it is usually very discreet. When used, sometimes it is hard to detect, but is usually slightly humorous and always mocks the subject being written about. Satire is used to make a change, to persuade, or to make an important point, but in a less serious way, in order to keep the reader interested and in order to be easily persuaded. Satire is a persuasive tool, with subtle humorous remarks and creative ways of joking about a subject, while swaying the readers perspective. Satire is usually extremely far-fetched, and ridiculous. Most satire is not meant to be taken seriously, just meant to change a readers opinion about something, and very effectively.
In class, we have read many modern, and some older, examples of satire. We recently read about an ad in the mock publishing company, The Onion, about special insoles that were created in order to heal the wearers entire body and re-align the wearer with the earth. The reader of the article is supposed to believe "scientific sounding literature" and pseudo sciences that supposedly guarantee pain free living for the wearer of the in soles. What most readers wouldn't understand is that the article is completely satirical, and a load of crap. These so called magic in soles cannot work miracles, they can only add a little bit of comfort, if that. The readers were led to believe that these in soles can bring back dead skin cells, realign ones body with the earth, and heal all discomfort in ones body. An "intelligent looking man in a white lab coat" endorses the product, and many people buy it, even if it may be completely ridiculous. The advertiser has the power to convince consumers of almost anything, especially with satire. Satire is so persuading and convincing, that it can make readers and consumers believe almost anything they see or hear, or read for that matter.
Another modern example of satire that we have read and discussed was a recent article about a woman that believed she had a close bond with famous Hollywood actress, Jennifer Aniston. The woman felt so close to Aniston, and even called the actress by a nick name, Jen. She acted as though the two of them had been close for years, when in reality, the woman had never even been in close contact with Aniston.  The woman believed herself, that if she was having a bad day, she could get through it, because "if Jen could do deal with her recent break up" so could she. The writer of the article uses satire to almost ridicule the woman of her supposed "close bond" with the actress. This use of satire shows the way one can ridicule and convince readers of a subject, even if it's completely idiotic.
Yet another recent example of satire is a letter sent to the city, by a man with beavers occupying the river in his backyard. The city did not like the beavers that were building dams in the river, but the beavers had been building on the mans property, and he did not mind having the beavers there. He wrote a satirical letter to the city explaining that the "dam beavers" had rights and he wondered why they didn't have legal representation if they were getting in trouble for building their dams. The man repeated the word "dam" to add humor, and to move the letter along. He writes that if the beavers have legal representation, they need "dam lawyers", referring to lawyers that would be for the dam, but when pronounced and read, sounding as of using the word "damn", making it humorous, and the repetition and persuasion add satire. The man uses this satire and makes the beavers more human, personifying them, to make is point. This makes the city look foolish, and the beavers look harmless. The man's letter caused the issue to seem petty and ridiculous. He further explains how the beavers can't be blamed for their dams, when the bears are "defecating in the woods" and makes the city seem even more foolish than before.
As a class, we also looked at some older satire, much less modern, but still very effective, called "A Modest Proposal" by Dr. Jonathan Swift. Swift used satire to scold the Irish government and the way the famine and issues of the country were being handled. Swift proposed that the people of Ireland could make children less of a burden, and stop the famine, and solve social and economic problems by eating the children of the country. Swift's idea is outrageous and extremely far-fetched, but he made a very good point. He brought up the numerous ways in which eating children would help the country as a whole, all while being satirical and humorous at points. Swift's "modest Proposal" would help out everyone in Ireland - the government wouldn't be blamed for not helping out; the people would add more value to life and marriage and family; the economy would be much better; and the famine would be put to a stop. His proposal was completely satirical and was not meant to be followed through with and taken serious, but very logical. He used his satire to persuade the readers that eating children woul dbe good and helpful.
Satire today is used all the time in media, mostly television. Shows like "Saturday Night Live" and "The Colbert Report" use satire as a way to report news and common issues in today's society with a slight hint of humor and less seriousness. These shows are meant to inform watchers of the problems and issues of today's society, but not to be so drab and sad and serious. The shows use humor and often times mock the subject in order to help whoever is watching understand the matter without so much sadness. Most often, these shows, also including "Tosh.0" and "The Daily Show", use satire to ridicule politics and foreign affairs, or news and issues on today's society. These shows add a bit of humor and light to the matter, and keep the watcher always entertained.
Modern satire is used in many ways, including the previously listed articles and essays, and common reading and movies. Literature contains satire all the time, and many movies have satirically based plots and schemes. Satire can add light to an otherwise very sad subject, or can persuade almost any reader with humor and good logic.

"A Modest Proposal" Response.

In his essay, "A Modest Proposal", Dr. Jonathan Swift uses satire to try to convince the Irish government to change their ways in order to save the people of Ireland. This form of satire was unbelievable at points, and certainly different from how most people would think. Swift's use of satire shows his criticism of the Irish government, the high amount of homeless people, and the widespread poverty. Swift proposes that the people of Ireland begin eating their children, in order to prevent hunger and poverty. By eating the new children, Swift says all children will be less of a burden, and Irish families would be able to support the children they already have. Swift claims that eating the kids would support all of Ireland without as much work. The children would taste good, and they would be enough to support whole families, or even parties of people, “a young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricasie, or a ragoust”. Swift writes that “A child will make two dishes at an entertainment for friends, and when the family dines alone, the fore or hind quarter will make a reasonable dish, and seasoned with a little pepper or salt, will be very good boiled on the fourth day, especially in winter” Wit this proposal, many people would be able to easily eat a tasty, satisfying meal of young Irish child. He states that "breeders", Irish couples that have too many kids, would be able to produce more children in order to support the country. These so-called breeders would be able to freely have sex, without worrying about the soon to be child, or getting an abortion. Swift states that his proposal would strongly decrease the number of abortions that happened, and kids wouldn't be unwanted and neglected. They would no longer be a burden on their parents. Producing, selling and consuming the children would greatly help the Irish economy as well. Poor tenants of Ireland would then be able to pay their rent, and pay to live comfortably enough. The economy would flourish and grow, leaving those poor tenants in a much better place. Eating the children, Swift also proposes, would raise the value of marriage for young people getting married. Swift says it will make more Irish folk more serious and caring about family and the issue of marriage. Both would be much more appreciated by young people, and elders. Swift's use of satire shows the reader many benefits that would come from eating the children of Ireland, and how the government should be doing something to help. Swift criticizes the Irish government, saying that it doesn't do enough to help stop the famine and poverty, but that he is actually proposing something in an attempt to help. Swift doesn't like that the government has done little to nothing to help out. Swift is upset that the government has done so very little to help out, without even attempting something to stop the famine. Swift's essay is very blunt and straightforward, simply in order to receive a good reaction out of the useless government, and the starving people. Swift simply wants to help - he is not trying to do anything weird, or immoral. He wants to make a difference because the government is not doing a good job. Eating the children is disturbing and wrong, but Swift's use of satire shows that he is not completely serious - because eating children is immoral - but in a way, he is still trying to make a point that it would be extremely helpful, and profitable for everyone. The consumption of the children of Ireland is disgusting, especially when Swift says, "I rather recommend buying the children alive, and dressing them hot from the knife, as we do roasting pigs." It seems as if Swift is being completely serious, and he almost crosses the line; it's dismissible though, because he is simply trying to help, and his use of satire shows his joking side. Swift dehumanizes the people of Ireland, and especially the children, by calling them a "dish" that you could eat for a dinner, and by saying children are "a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food." Swift's use of satire is hard to detect at times, but by the end of the proposal, the reader can tell Swift is simply making a proposal, and not completely meaning it. Swift is trying to help, and makes a fairly good proposal in order to do just that; he believes he can really truly help. Swift makes it clear when he says, “I profess, in the sincerity of my heart, that I have not the least personal interest in endeavouring to promote this necessary work, having no other motive than the publick good of my country, by advancing our trade, providing for infants, relieving the poor, and giving some pleasure to the rich.” Swift believes his problem will help, but he also says, "I am not so violently bent upon my own opinion, as to reject any offer, proposed by wise men, which shall be found equally innocent, cheap, easy, and effectual.” Dr. Jonathan Swift believes his method will help everyone in Ireland, and that it will be more effective than anything the government is doing.