Contemplating Satire

Usually I think about what to write on my blog for a while and then find the time to sit down and put it all together. This weekend was really busy, so this is just a string of thoughts about satire.

I love irony. Other figurative devices are easy to create - similes, metaphors, alliteration and the like. But creating irony takes a little more thought and effort. It could be something obvious or it could be something that you only see when you take a step back and look at the big picture. I think that's why I appreciate it so much in readings. It's not just in literature, though - it happens in real life too. Just google "irony", hit images, and try not to laugh.

Since satire is often developed through irony,  I have to say I'm enjoying the pieces we've been reading so far. Discussing them in class was interesting. Especially the articles we presented from The Onion. However, analyzing satire is difficult. I think that's because often the author (satirist?) is using something as a method to satirize something else. Marrying Absurd, for instance, is not mocking marriage in Las Vegas, but Las Vegas in general. Body Ritual Among the Nacirema is also using American morning routines to mock American life and attitude in general.

Anyways, I'm excited to explore other works of satire throughout this unit. Hopefully analyzing them will get easier eventually.

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