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Dr. Strangelove Satire

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What will happen if a nuclear bomb explodes during the Cold War? Will the world be set on track to chaos? The answer to these two questions can be found in the 60’s classic, a movie that depicts an imaginary nuclear war between the USSR and the USA, Dr. Strangelove (1964). Direted by Stanley Kubrick and filmed during the height of the Cold War, Dr. Strangelove is a political satire that reflects the tension between the two superpowers at the time through its satirical plot and ironical lines. On the surface, Dr. Strangelove conveys how the explosion of a nuclear bomb triggers a chain of hilarious reactions from the two superpowers. However, through the three forms of satire: monologues, parodies, and narratives, the film enables its viewers to not only question themselves …show more content…

Satire is a common literature technique when used correctly unveils a certain degree of truth beneath the apparent context. As Gilbert Highet points out in the chapter “Introduction to Satire” of Anatomy of Satire “satire is the most original, challenging, memorable forms (of literature)” (Highet 3). It is a form in which a character, an incident or a setting are held up to ridicule. Satire frequently uses irony or sarcasm to illustrate the author’s view on some modern-day issues. According to Highet, satire can be one of three forms: monologues, parodies, and narratives. Monologue is a form of satire that focuses on the satirist himself whom is often the main focus of the picture. The satirist states his opinion on an issue and allows himself to be ridiculed by the viewers. Parody is a form of satire that conceals itself form the viewers. It can be an imitation of a certain type of character or role model. The original character that parody tends to imitate is usually one that possesses a solemn and serious personality. By emulating and sometimes over-stressing details in the original role, parody not only produces

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