In a web article titled 'The Purpose and Method of Satire' by Robert Harris I found the following quote. it is taken from A Handbook to Literature by Thrall.
"a literary manner which blends a critical attitude with humor and wit to the end that human institutions or humanity may be improved. The true satirist is conscious of the frailty of institutions of man's devising and attempts through laughter not so much to tear them down as to inspire a remodeling"
This is a positive view of satire which can often be viewed as a negative form of humour designed to be used as a put down. Satire acknowledges the flaws in the system we live in and seeks to start a conversation to improve them. The flaws in a government or society can only be fixed if we know what they are and satirists attempt to highlight what they see as issues to be resolved. If satirists represent the views of society then politicians should be happy to have them pointed out to them.
It is obviously not the simple or perfect or there wouldn't be a need for satire in the first place.
Ambrose Bierce said that-
"Americans are ‘endowed by their Creator’ with abundant vice and folly, it is not generally known that these are reprehensible qualities, wherefore the satirist is popularly regarded as a sour-spirited knave, and his every victim’s outcry for codefendants evokes a national assent."
the society that a satirist works in will have a huge impact on how they work and how effective that work can be. In a society where satire will often be viewed as a bitter response a satirist will have to adapt to get their point across. The general public hold the power as to how far a satirist can push an opinion or ideology. If satire alienates a large portion of its audience it can be dismissed as having no factual basis. For a satirist to develop a relationship with a wide and varied audience they must maintain their perceived integrity.
No comments:
Post a Comment