Satire is a genre of the visual, literary, and performing arts that exposes flaws in a person or system in power, often with the intent of exposing or shaming the perceived flaws of individuals, corporations, government, or society itself into improvement. It is a story method that ridicules or critiques a person, situation, or social belief system through storytelling. Satire can be part of any work of culture, art, or entertainment, and it is often humorous. Some key features of satire include:
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Irony or sarcasm: In satire, irony is militant, according to literary critic Northrop Frye. Strong irony or sarcasm is a feature of satire.
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Parody, burlesque, exaggeration, juxtaposition, comparison, analogy, and double entendre: These are all frequently used in satirical speech and writing.
Satire can be used to criticize the mode of life of common people, the behavior and manners of politicians, or institutions by direct criticism or more often through irony. Although satire is usually meant to be humorous, its greater purpose is often constructive social criticism, using wit to draw attention to both particular and wider issues in society. Examples of satire can be found in literature, TV shows, movies, and music.
