Patricia Kelley
English 112B
Dr. Warner
3 December 2008
Political Satire: Exposing the Truth in Satirical Literature
With the popularity of Comedy Central's news programs like, The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, political satire has become a substantial part of today's media, and the way that young people receive their news. Because this is the way that many teens receive their news and political information, it is important for them to understand how to interpret the satire in these news shows. If they are able to interpret the true intentions of these comic news programs, they will not only better understand the humor, but also learn more about different political ideas. Furthermore, shows that are often condemned for explicit content, like South Park, Family Guy, Little Bush, and The Simpsons often use satire in a surprisingly intelligent way. The more intellectual references on these shows may often go unnoticed to a younger audience who watch for their vulgar humor and shock value. If students understood the political and social commentary that these shows were making, they would be able to appreciate the more intelligent humor and the shows wouldn't have to resort to slapstick comedy to cater to their teen audience.
Moreover, adolescents are at the stage where they are developing their own opinions. It is important for them to learn how to interpret the information they are receiving, and understand the different ways in which people will attempt to persuade them. Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal" is a great example of how an author's intentions can be misinterpreted. On the surface, it seems as though he is making an outlandish suggestion; however, when understood as satire his true intentions and ideas become transparent. Thus, this work makes a fun and useful central piece for a unit on satire because of its humor and shock value, as well as its literary merit and manageable length.
My primary goals for this unit of study are for the students to not only understand the definition of satire, but to also be able to understand political satire, make historical connections with literature, and gain the tools they need to interpret persuasive arguments in their own lives.
Launching the Unit:
Before reading Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal," the student should learn how to interpret persuasive arguments. Explain Aristotle's three styles of rhetoric by giving them a handout with the following information, possibly with examples for each.
Ethos: The appeal based on the character of the speaker. An ethos-driven document relies on the reputation of the author.
Pathos: the appeal based on emotion. Advertisements tend to be pathos-driven.
(Information found at http://www.rpi.edu/dept/llc/webclass/web/project1/group4/index.html)
Activity: Have the students look at advertisements, political speeches, political cartoons, or any other persuasive media and identify the use of these styles of rhetoric.
Assignment: For a fun assignment, maybe assign the analysis of television commercials for homework.
Working with the centerpiece work:
Before reading "A Modest Proposal," give the students the historical context of the conditions in Ireland in the early 1700s. Do not give away that the argument is satirical, as that could ruin the effect of the essay's humor. After the students have read the essay, ask the students to identify Swift's argument and identify which form(s) of rhetoric he uses. After discussing this in class, explain the idea of satire to them, after they have hopefully found some of the satirical elements on their own. If they do not come to this conclusion on their own, lead them to the idea that Swift uses logos, and pathos, because his argument is based on logic, yet it causes an emotional reaction that really shows the point he is trying to make.
Activity: Separate the class into two groups. Hold a formal debate in which one group represents the literal side of Swift's argument, while the other takes the opposing side. After this activity, discuss the point that Swift was trying to make. Ask what hints are in the text that Swift is using satire. Discuss the use of irony in satirical humor
Assignment: After discussing Swift's essay as a class, assign the students a persuasive essay, asking them to make a claim about Swift's intention and meaning in "A Modest Proposal," and support their claim with examples from the essay, as well as their knowledge of satire and Aristotle's three styles of rhetoric.
Extending the Unit:
Have the students form literature circle groups of about 5 students. Have the group choose a book from the list of Young Adult novels below. A good way to introduce them to the books would be to do a book pass. They should follow the guidelines on page 238 of Literature for Today's Young Adults, with the modification that they should all be involved in researching the historical contexts of their book. Try to provide as many resources as possible or necessary for the level of the group. Each group should do a presentation on their book, relating the novel to what they have learned about satire by explaining to the class the historical connotations and their knowledge and ideas about the author's intentions.
Book List
1. After by Francine Prose
J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye is banned from Central High School among other ridiculous restrictions, when the school receives a threat after a local school shooting. (Nilsen 125) This book works well in this unit because it satirizes over protective restrictions in schools. Students reading this should look at infamous school shootings, especially the Columbine shooting in 1999 for historical and cultural context.
2. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Louis Carroll
A young girl embarks on a fantastic and often absurd adventure while meeting characters that can be interpreted as satirical representations of figures in England in the 1800s. The book jacket of the 1982 Bantam Classic edition claims that critics say the two Alice books "really comprise a satire on language, a political allegory, a parody of Victorian children's literature, even a reflection of contemporary ecclesiastical history," but maybe, "Alice is no more than a dream, fairy tale about the trials and tribulations of growing up—or down, or all turned round—as seen through the expert eyes of a child." The students reading Alice should decide which part or parts of this statement they agree with.
3. Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift
"Shipwrecked and cast adrift, Lemuel Gulliver wakes to find himself on Lilliput, an island inhabited by little people, whose height makes their quarrels over fashion and fame seem ridiculous. His subsequent encounters- with the crude giants of Brobdingnag, the philosophical Houyhnhnms and the brutish Yahoos – give Gulliver new, bitter insights into human behavior. Swift's savage satire views mankind in a distorted hall of mirrors as diminished, magnified and finally bestial species, presenting us with and uncompromising reflection of ourselves." (Taken from the book jacket of the 2003 Penguin Classic edition) Students reading this book should analyze Swift's views on human nature as well as looking at the novel in the historical context of Great Britain in the 1700s. Especially focus on Swift's views on rationalization.
4. The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
This book centers around two devils—Wormwood and Screwtape. "Screwtape through a series of letters, is mentoring Wormwood on how to successfully tempt a new Christian," but "do not be fooled—the book teaches more about what and who God is and what true Christianity requires than it does about devils" (Warner 259). Student's reading this book notice the satire and allegory of figures and ideas in Christianity. They should also realize that through his critique of Christianity, he is supporting Christian ideals.
5. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Most know the story of Dorothy's adventures in Oz. However, "a child may not be aware of the story's satirical thrusts and higher levels of meaning, but they are there, and they are one of the reasons why The Wizard has become the classic that it is" (Gardner 4) Students reading this book should focus on American economy at the turn of the 20th century. Students should try to interpret the characters and symbols as allegories for political figures, social classes, and economic currency of the time (e.g. the silver slippers can be seen as Baum calling for America to rely on silver as opposed to gold.)
Ideas for Concluding Activities
Works Cited
"The Art of Rhetoric: Learning How to Use the Three Main Rhetorical Styles." <http://www.rpi.edu/dept/llc/webclass/web/project1/group4/index.html>.
Baum, L. Frank. The Wonderful Wizard of OZ. New York: Dover Publications, Inc. (1960).
Carroll, Lewis. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Throught the Looking-Glass. New York: Bantam Classics, (1981).
Fabillar, Elizabeth. "Poetry Analysis --"The White Man's Burden"" History Matters. <http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/6609/)>.
Gardner, Martin. "Introduction to Dover Edition," The Wonderful Wizard of OZ. New York: Dover Publications, Inc., (1960).
Nilsen, Alleen Pace, Kenneth L. Donelson, and Dr. Mary Warner. Literature for Today's Young Adults. Custom Edition. Massachusetts: Pearson Custom Publishing, (2008).
Swift, Jonathan. Gulliver's Travels. New York: Penguin Classics, (2003)
Swift, Jonathan. "A Modest Proposal." (1729).
Warner, Mary L. Adolescents in the Search for Meaning. Maryland: Scarecrow Press, Inc., (2006)