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Motifs
Definition of Satire
Satire is the use of humor, irony, sarcasm, or ridicule to criticize something or someone. Public figures, such as politicians, are often the subject of satire, but satirists can take... read full definition
Satire is the use of humor, irony, sarcasm, or ridicule to criticize something or someone. Public figures, such as politicians, are often the subject of... read full definition
Satire is the use of humor, irony, sarcasm, or ridicule to criticize something or someone. Public figures, such as politicians... read full definition
Chapter 1
Explanation and Analysis—Family Man:
The following example of satire from Chapter 1 is an excerpt from U Po Kyin's newspaper article. He has one of his lackeys plant this satirical article, with the intention of framing Dr. Veraswami for anti-British sentiment:
Mr Macgregor is of the type of the Fine Old English Gentleman, such as, in these happy days, we have so many examples before our eyes. He is 'a family man' as our dear English cousins say. Very much a family man is Mr Macgregor. So much so that he has already three children in the district of Kyauktada, where he has been a year, and in his last district of Shwemyo he left six young progenies behind him. Perhaps it is an oversight on Mr Macgregor's part that he has left these young infants quite unprovided for, and that some of their mothers are in danger of starvation, etc., etc., etc.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Syphilis:
In an example of satire from Chapter 1, U Po Kyin's apprentice employs a sardonic, critical tone in his newspaper article as a means of critiquing both Mr. Macgregor and the British Empire. Note the use of this satirical tone in the following passage:
Unlock with LitCharts A+In these happy times, when we poor blacks are being uplifted by the mighty western civilization, with its manifold blessings such as the cinematograph, machine-guns, syphilis, etc., what subject could be more inspiring than the private lives of our European benefactors?
