SATIRE ANALYSIS

Complete the satire worksheet provided using the following terms below.

I. Litotes (Literature / Rhetoric) understatement for rhetorical effect, especially when

achieved by using negation with a term in place of using an antonym of that term, as
in She was not a little upset for She was extremely upset.
II. Hyperbole
1. an obvious and internal exaggeration
2. an extravagant statement or figure of speech not intended to be taken literally,
as Shes as big as a house.
III. Understatement- a statement that is restrained in ironic contrast to what might have
been said
-Statement a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written)
setting forth particulars or facts etc; according to his statement he was in London on
that day
IV. Jargon
1. (Linguistics) specialized language concerned with a particular subject, culture, or
profession
2. Language characterized by pretentious syntax, vocabulary, or meaning
V. Irony- the use of words to express something different from and often opposite to
their literal meaning
a. An expression of utterance marked by a deliberate contrast between apparent and
intended meaning
b. A literary style employing such contrasts for humorous or rhetorical effect
VI. Incongruity
1. Lack of congruence
2. The state or quality of being incongruous
3. Something incongruous
4. Language characterized by pretentious syntax, vocabulary, or meaning
VII. Black humor (gallows humor) the juxtaposition of morbid and farcical elements
(in writing or drama) to give a disturbing effect
VIII. Detail- the use of extended description

ASSIGNMENT: Select passages from your reading that exemplify five of the different literary
devices that Twain uses to create humor and/or satire.

Use the attached sample as your guide. Follow MLA format and provide a bibliography at the
end of your paragraph.
 Pride and Prejudice Satire Terms Analysis Model Entry

Text: I feel myself called upon by our relationship, and my situation in life, to condole with
you on the grievous affliction you are now suffering under, of which we were yesterday
informed by a letter from Hertfordshire. Be assured, my dear Sir, that Mrs. Collins and myself
sincerely sympathize with you, and all your respectable family, in your present distress, which
must be of the bitterest kind, because proceeding from a cause which no time can remove. No
arguments shall be wanting on my part that can alleviate so severe a misfortune; or that may
comfort you, under a circumstance that must be of all others most afflicting to a parents mind.
The death of your daughter would have been a blessing in comparison to this (Austen 286).

Incongruity: Something strangely, shockingly, or ridiculously out of pace.

Analysis:

In this passage, which follows Lydias embarrassing elopement with Mr. Wickham, Mr. Collins
intention to sympathize with the Bennet family is overshadowed by his actual tendency to insult
them. In the first few lines of his condolence letter to Mr. Bennet, Mr. Collins claims he
sincerely sympathizes with the Bennet family, but he makes it very clear he is writing only out
of obligation due to their relationship and his situation in life as a minister. He also states
that his motives in writing are to condole the family, but the letter continues on to be extremely
negative and harshly critical of so severe a misfortune. That he would admit to writing out of
obligation, and proceed to criticize the family, is incongruous with the practice of sending
condolences. His diction is out of place, too: he calls Lydias elopement an affliction, a word
more aptly used to described dreaded disease, not a wayward daughter. And though he calls the
Bennets a respectable family, Mr. Collins clearly feels Lydias elopement has tarnished the
familys name forever and does not hide his disdain. He even goes to the extent of wishing Lydia
had died rather than shame the Bennet family in this way, revealing how highly he regards
social status, custom, and respect. Calling Lydias death a blessing reveals how utterly
misguided and insensitive Mr. Collins is hardly the comforting minister he has billed himself to
be. He clearly values social appearances more than family bonds. By juxtaposing these
inconsistent assertions, Austen reveals the hypocrisy and artificiality of Mr. Collins true
character. Throughout the book, Austen uses characters like Mr. Collins to suggest that people in
her time were obsessed with appearances and social customs, while human kindness and
empathy were devalued.

MLA:
Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. London: Penguin Classics, 1813. Print.