We are all the Same

October 28, 2013

“History” said Joyce’s Dedalus is a nightmare from which I am trying to wake. But we do not awake. Though we constantly make a heroic attempt to rise to a level ethnically superior to nature, our own nature, again and again we suffer a fall- brought low by some outburst of madness because of the limiting defects inherent in our species. (Baker xv)

            Due to our own imperfect features as humans we are limited to a certain extent, either physically, mentally, and politically. As humans our bones can only take so much weight, our minds can only endure so much pain, and it is extremely hard to amount to political power. Many humans have steeped above most, taking power, but not being able to control their own characteristics or decisions which are a downfall. For example, Hitler is no hero, but his personal decision to attack the Russians took probably the biggest role on why he lost the war, not to mention economical fragmentation. Everyone wants to amount over everyone else, and we/you can do it, but the chances are extremely unlikely to succeed, let alone to succeed for an exceeded amount of time due to our lack of ‘perfect’ qualities. We must be able to control and conquer ourselves mentally, which most or all people cannot do. As humans we strive for success, we strive to be better, we strive to be powerful. Rich or poor we all have the same goal, but ourselves hold us back from making it and staying. 

Without Jonathan Swift Satire would not exist. Satire is probably the most powerful and controversial topic in literature. Satire is the use of literature exposing people’s ignorance or stupidity.  Jonathan Swift’s masterful piece of work A Modest Proposal gladly shows huge examples of satire. There are many extreme layers of depth in this work with satire.  "I grant this food may be somewhat dear and therefore very proper for Landlords, who as they have already devoured most of the Parents, seem to have the best Title to the Children."(Swift 13) Swift being very ironic have described the English who rule over them, who not only have taken thousands of lives in the revolutionary wars but have made them suffer, putting them into poverty and in the streets. If they have taken the older men and women, why not the children? The satire in this is to point out how crude and evil the English are, not caring about the people if they get what they want.

            Swifts satire has inspired many satirical shows after A Modest Proposal such as South park, Saturday Night Live, and The Daily show, pointing out multiple flaws in the society we live in today. A great example of satire using mockery and irony would be The Daily Show’s Finger Pointing Game http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-september-19-2012/9-19-12-in--60-seconds. The Daily show interviews several different people at a political convention. As the reporter asks a man what the parties should do he says they should come together and cooperate more. But when approached about what the people should do about specific problems he blames the other party pointing fingers. The reporter also keeps pointing mocking him while he does not even realize it. The mockery was both persons finger pointing without the man being questioned did not realize what the other is doing. The irony is that the interviewed man says the parties should come together but blames the other for anything going wrong.

            Another great example of Satire would be South Parks”F*ck me”. The ill of society was to show the attitude of modern day of American children, showing their attitude as if the world owes them something. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eBYLTnI1po&safe=active The 8 year old child Eric Cartman felt as if his mom owed him a brand new ipad because his friends had one, despite the fact he nor his mom cannot afford it financially. It shows how most modern day American kids being extremely greedy despite the fact they did not earn/work for the item. South Park satire is very humorous while A Modest Proposal has much more of a darker tone and item. As the South Park may not be a more “serious” problem society, satire was made to point it out.

MORE WILL BE ADDED

Ignorance is Bliss

While the lack of ignorance in humans isn't surprising, this satire project has given me a broader outlook on how I view people and specific shows (Daily Show, South Park etc.) Peoples ignorance will never vanish but it is always a good effort to point right from wrong. I think no one really appreciates but notices more dark satire then anything, such as Johnathan Swift's "A Modest  Proposal." It pointed out with ignorance people had, without giving you a laugh, making it darker, deeper, and uncomfortable. My favorite Satire example from the presentations may have been Family Guy's "Visiting Ground Zero" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpP7b2lUxVE. It represented most Americans ignorance about being mad about an event that most do not know the reasons, motives, or who did it.

Johnathan Swift: My Inspiration

• Johnathan Swift was born in Dublin Ireland in 1667
• He wrote Gullivers Travels
• They made a movie called Gullivers Travels and they have Jack Black in it, haha how funny is that.
• Was Inspired by his uncle Godwin due to his father passing before he was born.
• February 1702 Swift received his degree in Doctor of Divinity. 
• Died in 1745

"Every man desires to live long, but no man wishes to be old." -Jonathan swift

                                                                                  He kills em'

Satire

Satire is a comedic way to point out the flaws in our society or even specific persons, that could be based off of beliefs, race, gender etc. Not only is it a a comedic way to point out but gives constructive criticism on the certain flaws we have. Many television shows use satire as there comedy, such as south park or family guy, pointing out the flaws right under our noses with out even realizing it. "Fools are my theme, let satire be my song." -Lord Bryon. The quote is self-explanatory. Satire is making fun of someone, pointing out there flaws and whats wrong.
"First make people laugh, and then make them think."-Ig Nobel Prize Organizers. Satire is not always meant to make people laugh. Satire can also be used in serious discussions such as politics, religion, and art using forms of irony and burlesque. In the book Nine-teen Eighty four, the book can be viewed in a Juvenalian satirical style, with less pressure on humor but more in a political spectrum. Many people who do not understand satire may often get satire confused with teasing.Satire is to point out the flaws in us and others being used through wit, sarcasm, exaggeration, and irony. Teasing is usually just made to point fun or hurt. Horation satire is usually used in most mainstream things such as comedy's (colbert report, family guy.) Horation is much more common and very gentle, not serious.