Political_Satire__An_Exploration_Of_Stylistic_Elements

Political Satire: An Exploration Of Stylistic Elements Ambrose Biere, in his publication entitled The Devil’s Dictionary, defines the term ‘politics’ as “A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principals; the conduct of public affairs for personal advantage” (Bierce 95). Bierce’s bitter remarks concerning the avaricious nature of civic institutions is an example of satire. A satirist such as Bierce negatively describes situations or practices in society that warrant reparation or ridicule. Throughout recent history, satirization of governmental and political practices has been a reoccurring subject for many authors of varying backgrounds and beliefs. Despite differences in time period and subject matter, these works contain similar underlying stylistic elements. Sarcasm, wit, extended metaphor, verbal irony, and understatement are major components in works of political satire. Sarcasm a vital element of this genre. It serves to present the topic of scrutinization in a farcical and debased light and often incorporates humor. This is particularly useful in the case of government ridicule, since authority presiding over a populace requires respect and credibility if it is to be wholly effective. “We have a criminal jury system which is superior to any in the world; and its efficiency is only marred by the difficulty of finding twelve men every day who don’t know anything and can’t read” (Twain Wit 20). Twain uses sarcasm in this passage to illustrate the political, swift, satire, sarcasm, practices, works, twain, people, audience, wit, whose, serves, revolutions, own, order, modest, jury, ireland, family, democracy, wilde, verbal, until, towards, time, throughout, system, solution, society, ridicule, revolution, respect, reform, poverty, orwell