Satire: A Tool for Expressive Criticism in the Contemporary World - Essay Sample

Introduction

Satire is the aspect of using ridicule, exaggeration, or humor to criticize and expose people's vices or stupidity. It is a standard tool that has been applied in the work of art to reveal some facts in a hidden manner that is less provocative. As it may, satire can be used in the contemporary world to help people express their views about the critical social phenomenon in a manner that such discussion will not violate the social norms. This is vital when discussing specific topics that discussing them openly will appear as a violation of our cultural beliefs. However, though some of these topics are critical and need to be addressed, it is essential to use a tool that will make it possible. This analysis aims at showing the rationale of using satire to discuss uncomfortable topics.

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Satire and Controversial Social Issues

Satire can be used to convey the contemporary social issues while putting into consideration possible logos that might emerge from a particular discussion. Various topics in the United States need to be addressed, such as religion, abortion, and gay marriage. Though they are serious topics that need to be discussed, they can divide the nation if not carefully addressed. Specific discussions can make some people feel targeted by inevitable debates. For example, some people who are gay would feel provoked by considerations related to the aspect of gay marriage. The use of satire can, however, make the discussion of such topics possible. A study that was conducted by Lee (128) shows that people are less provoked by issues that are expressed satirically. Knight (344) argued that humor gets the severe topics discussed across in a manner that is fun and light. However, even when an item is presented in a satiric way, it has a high potential of leaving individuals with a call to figure out there stand on a particular topic of discussion or debate. As such, while using satire, individuals will be in a position to prove their point to the intended audience without hurting their feelings.

Satire and Eliciting Pathos in Serious Issues

Satire can also be used to evoke some pathos in a serious issue that would appear hard to discuss. Discussing confidence openly with a serious stand make a discussion seems to lack the essence of empathy. However, it is good to bring a social phenomenon to the social domain no matter what. Satire tool can hence be applied to discuss such issues in a manner that hurts no one yet communicate the intended message. A study that was conducted by LeBoeuf (63) shows that people become more offended when the truth is expressed to them directly. People are more offended by the fact rather than false accusations, especially when they feel targeted instantly. As such, it would be essential to use satire since it will be taken as a joke, but still, the message will be conveyed. In the article adopted for this analysis (MacPhail, 2017), the author discusses the aspect of how satire can be used to communicate an inevitable social phenomenon that might not be delivered directly. The author used some humor of a student who would always claim the death of a grandmother to avoid exams. The author asserted that he had killed his grandmother more than ten times to prevent meeting deadlines while he was in college. He also received a confession from several people before writing the article. As such, though the students criticized this article for lack of empathy since it appeared as an influential professor attacking the powerless students, it used a powerful tool of satire to provoke the minds of students on the danger of faking death to avoid meeting deadlines. The issue, though discussed humorously, would make only pity those characters who go to the extent of faking related deaths to avoid meeting deadlines or exams.

Satire and Topics Limited by Ethos

Satire can also be used to discuss topics that are limited by ethos in a particular society. In each culture, there are specific topics that are considered as ethnic to be addressed openly, which depend on community beliefs and ideals. Some cultural and religious beliefs may limit discussion of particular issues such as sexuality. However, in contemporary society, the debates that affect sexuality and sexual orientation that need some social guidance never cease. Since such social beliefs may limit discussion of such topics, it is crucial to bring in the essence of satire to help review of such uncomfortable issues. For example, irony can be used to criticize the reality of gay marriages by showing how it violates the purpose of a family as a procreation unit (Ziegele and Pablo 103). According to Thurston, people would take a satire or a joke less provocative in any topic. People are also less judgmental about a topic violating their ideals or norms when the issue is discussed in a satiric manner as when expressed in a healthy context. However, though satire will just be taken as a joke, people will still contemplate on the message or the more profound meaning conveyed in a humorous conversation. Since the main aim is to get the point cross, satire will be a useful tool that one can use to navigate and make a pint without violating social ideals and beliefs.

The ability of satire to navigate and make a point without violating social beliefs, ideals, and people's emotions. When an issue is openly discussed, it sometimes makes people feel targeted, and this may make them receive an inevitable debate with ill-feeling and hostility. However, people feel less offended when a topic is conveyed humorously. Nevertheless, though people will perceive satire as being funny, it also allows individuals a chance to focus on an issue and think about their stand. As such, the proposal of using satire as a tool for communicating uncomfortable topics is not only viable but worth pursuing.

Works Cited

Knight, Charles A. The literature of satire. Cambridge University Press, 2004.

LeBoeuf, Megan. "The power of ridicule: An analysis of satire." Senior Honors Projects (2007): 63.

Lee, Hoon, and S. Mo Jang. "Talking about what provokes us: Political satire, emotions, and interpersonal talk." American Politics Research 45.1 (2017): 128-154. doi.org/10.1177/1532673X16657805

MacPhail, Theresa. "Fictional Truths or Harmless Humor?" ChronicleVitae for Higher Ed Jobs, Career Tools and Advice, 26 June 2017, chroniclevitae.com/news/1840-fictional-truths-or-harmless-humor.

Thurston, Cameron E. "How To Navigate Social Issues With Satire." The Odyssey Online, 15 Nov. 2017, www.theodysseyonline.com/how-to-navigate-social-issues-with-satire.

Ziegele, Marc, and Pablo B. Jost. "Not funny? The effects of factual versus sarcastic journalistic responses to uncivil user comments." Communication research (2016): 0093650216671854.