The Use Of Satire And Humor Is A Vital Function Of Our Society

When reading jokes, almost everyone wants a quick laughter without much cogitating, however some types of humor such as satire requires the exact opposite from the reader. Satire exposes the foolishness and corruption of individuals and society by mocking them and possibly tries to improve humanity through its criticism. In order to truly understand the comedy in satire, the reader needs to have some basic knowledge about the topic. Satire is present in all types of literature and even in movies or cartoons. The Simpsons, by Matt Groening is a long-running satirical cartoon about the adventures of a middle class family living in America. One reason for the show’s popular success is that it mocks famous figures, institutions of power, or human

Humorists are often seen as insignificant contributors of society. People consider humorists no more than just “entertainers”, willing to make fun of anything in order to make a crowd laugh, however, has the audience ever contemplated why humorists are the some of the only people who are allowed to critique anything that crosses their mind without consequences? Alain de Botton, claims the vital role of humorist is, “to convey with impunity messages that might be dangerous or impossible to state directly.” I agree with Alain de Botton’s claims, that humorists do hold an important role in society, which is far more than to entertain. They break the ice on delicate topics, communicating the messages to society. Political cartoons and the Colbert

Modern society allows humorists to touch upon offensive topics without receiving much criticism. As Alain de Botton claimed in his 2004 book, Status Anxiety, humorists’ role is not merely to entertain but “to convey with impunity messages that might be dangerous or impossible to state directly.” De Botton’s argument proves legitimate. Many humorists, such as cartoonists and television hosts, decide to use their humor as a tool to prove an idea or express a belief that cannot be voiced candidly in public.

In Status Anxiety, author de Botton correctly claims that humorists are expected to not only entertain their audience, but to make statements about controversial events that may be too sensitive to say directly and causally present them in a way that is easy for the public to understand. This is demonstrated through various forms of media such as television shows and political cartoons.

Mark Twain once described his novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, as “a struggle between a sound mind and a deformed conscience”. Throughout the novel, Huck wrestles with the disparity between his own developing morality and the twisted conscience of his society. In doing so, he becomes further distanced from society, both physically and mentally, eventually abandoning it in order to journey to the western frontier. By presenting the disgust of Huck, an outsider, at the state of society, Mark Twain is effectively able to critique the intolerance and hypocrisy of the Southern South. In doing so, Twain asserts that in order to exist as a truly moral being, one must escape from the chains of a diseased society.

Humor has become manifested into nearly all aspects of the secular world. Whether it be in comics, writings, or television, some form of comedy is sure to be seen on a regular basis. It seems the world today depends on a good laugh every now and then, and Alain de Botton argued the purpose of this in his book Status Anxiety. He concluded that humorists are more than just a form of entertainment; They "convey with impunity messages that might be dangerous or impossible to state directly". These men and women are granted some degree of leeway to speak freely and candidly on ultimately any subject for the preservation of societal stability. Their representation of public sentiment results in the people feeling as if what they long to say is finally being heard on a larger platform. Humorists serve the vital role of being a true reflection of public opinion; however, they are not immune to

(Twain 89). Huck is having a moral debate and questioning the ideas society has taught. His whole life he’s been taught that blacks are slaves and inferior to himself. Now, he is forced to challenge that concept with his own experience and his morals. Eventually Huck’s morals and good heart prove more influential than society.

Disregarding the way that satire is commonly proposed to be entertaining, its more conspicuous explanation behind existing is much of the time valuable social criticism, using mind as a weapon and as a tool to pull in understanding with respect to both and broader issues in general society eye. But some writers and well-educated media persons also create satirical joke to create criticism and increase their followings for a Tv show or any programs. The offensive satirical joke also might be understandable and loved by the other group of people. For instance, the Cartoon of Obama in front of women carrying a gun was loved by many racist as they thought it as true, although many Obama supporters opposed it. So, due to those people the jokes don’t take any time to get viral over internet as the accessibility of internet is in every person’s hand now.

African American’s living during that time period was treated like they were slaves and less than human. White America was very ignorant just like today’s white America, They treated African Americans as if they were property or animals. In Adventure of Huckleberry Finn, Twain conveys through Jim and Huck’s father-son relationship that once white America gets to know a person they become more open-minded about equality. By Twain demonstrating that Huck has unlearned the pervading ethos of the South. Through this, Huck finally starts to think of Jim as a human and treat him as equal to white.

Second of all, Twain also shows how southerners act toward their slaves and how racism is normal for them. The whites in the south are horrible to the African Americans, they treat the slaves like dirt. Huck is supprissed when Jim starts to cry about his daughter: “It don’t seem natural, but I reckon it’s so” (Twain 155). Huck was raised to think that African Americans are not human so when Jim cries Huck is surprised. The southerners are so blinded by their racism that they think that only the matter of skin color makes them a superior. The article ¨The Adventures…¨ mentions a State that is trying to enter the union as a slave state: “The furor had begun when Missouri requested to enter the Union as a slave state” (¨The Adventures…¨11). If Missouri is a slave state, then African Americans would not be welcomed. Twain shows the true colors of the white slave owner or owners and how they treat them like crap. The attitudes of the southerners are disgusting because they think that the African Americans are property not people. Twain describes this mental state that the slaves are not human through Tom’s aunt: “‘Well, it’s Lucky; because sometimes people do get hurt’” (Twain 221). Tom’s aunt is only concerned about Huck because he is white but she could care less about any slave.

Satire is constantly evolving in order to maintain with the times. As technology, culture and humanity change and grow, satire is forced to grow with it. Satire of our modern time is more likely to be found on our phones than on print, more likely on a television than a telegram. By merging with pop culture, in forms of Family Guy and Comedy Central news shows, these forms of satire are able to stay relevant. But, despite the change in medium, the purpose of satire and effect of satire holds true. Modern satire, just as that of past satire, sheds light on the problems of our society through ridicule and mockery, without reinforcing and further cementing the stereotypes and prejudices they are trying to expose.

Today, comedy news shows are becoming progressively more popular, and in so, becoming a new source of information – which may, or may not, be a positive consequence. Most comedians twist the truth in order to connect to people and make them laugh. The article “A Serious Business: What Can Comedy Do?” suggests some comedians “use logic to make painful things make sense” (O’Hara 108). Satirical comedy acts as a relief mechanism in that it comforts people that may be wary about a certain subject, especially in the realm of politics. Similarly, Peter McGraw and Joel Warner discuss how comedy can act as a coping mechanism. The authors conclude that “activists all over the world have been using comedy as a form of political protest” (McGraw & Warner 147). Iain Ellis writes about how political satirists do more than just deliver jokes, they use satire “to expose, ridicule, and–implicitly–call for action and change” (Ellis 152). Ellis contends that comedy can make a difference by its constant presence in our daily lives. Socrates, Plato, and even shows like South Park believe that humor is a way to persuade others. One of the most effective expressions of humor to affect social change has been the inclusion of satire. Although humor often provides people a welcome escape from the burdens of their daily lives, the satirical comedy deconstructs social issues in various ways as a means to persuade the

is about the life of a young boy named Huck who tries to make do of his harsh life while people judge him on how he should be living his life. Huck grows up uneducated, almost illiterate, and with a deadbeat dad. He is a rebel just wanting to be free. Along Huck’s journey he befriends a slave named Jim. Twain’s novel illustrates a slave’s escape to freedom and a boy’s escape from people’s set standards, a plot which entirely revolves around the theme of freedom. Twain’s story is set in the South before the Civil War taking on the sensitive topic of slavery.

A topic of outstanding importance to Huckleberry Finn is the problem of slavery and racism. The novel reflects a place in a period of slavery, when Black Africans were disgusted to whites and barely to the point of being recognise less than ordinary human, However Huckleberry Finn challenging the judgement of the slavery and racism throughout as being a narrator and main character. Huckleberry Finn, For the beginning, Huck is as unfamiliar of the mistaken of society’s harsh attitudes as the remaining of society is, he is tolerating many experiences which supporting him to planning his own perspective of racial issues. Through the hazard and catastrophe of Huck Finn including the slave Jim, Mark Twain challenging the unwritten societal views

Obtained by the outcomes from corrective action, the genre of satire advocates for the preservation of moral principles, the need to reform, and the attempt to instigate change. Satire has become a powerful art form intended to improve humanity by pointing out the deficiencies in certain human behaviors and the corruptions of modern society. Satire also has the competence to protect its creator from accountability for criticism, because it is covertly implied rather than openly stated; thus, it becomes a powerful tool for people in repressive political and social periods. With its intentions to ridicule those vices, satire has progressively made its way into literature, television, the internet, comics and cartoons. Modern satire as portrayed in the cartoon South Park has transformed into a powerful satirical work, in which four young boys propose to expose the ugly truth, meanwhile the adults render to the senselessness of society. Alternatively, Swift effectively uses each experience in Gulliver’s Travels to satirize a vast of issues which were once significantly influential in the seventeenth and eighteenth century England, including government, human pride, religion, and philosophy. Modern society struggles to obtain the good of civilization which is constantly being threatened by man's immorality, causing satirist to unmask those vices for the society’s good. While knowledge is constantly ridiculed, satire is the hindrance of immoral issues, attempting to condemn the