When does satire go too far?

1
When does satire go too far?

• Satire has merits beyond just being funny it
  delivers clear and relevant social commentary.
• But are there lines that satire shouldnt cross?

English 10 British Literature Mr. Ambrose
2
Todays Objectives

• To examine some contemporary examples of satire
  and determine if their message is lost because of
  its offensive delivery.
• To assess whether Jonathan Swifts A Modest
  Proposal is effective satire, or whether,
  perhaps like some of todays examples, it goes
  too far.

3
Do Now

• Read the article titled Banned TV Episode Has
  Its Day on DVD from The New York Times.
• Journal Do you think it was appropriate that
  this episode was banned from television because
  of its controversial content? Explain your
  reasoning.

4
Jeff Dunham and Achmed the Dead Terrorist
Mr. Esner finds this to be an extraordinarily
racist clip that is offensive and lacks comedic
value. How do you feel about it?
5
Borats Throw the Jew Down the Well
Sacha Baron Cohen is actually Jewish, but does
his message combating anti-Semitism clearly come
through in this piece? What role do the audience
members listening to Borat play in the satire?
6
South Park
Is it ever OK to make fun of someones religion
for satirical purposes? How is Trey Parker and
Matt Stones commentary on religion similar to
Swifts?
7
The Colbert Report
Do you think that Sarah Palins definition of
satire is an accurate one? How does Colbert
satirize this definition? Is it ever OK to use
the word retard for satirical purposes?
8
Sassy Gay Friend
Is it ever OK to use stereotypes in satire? This
is a great summary of Othello, but it could be
considered offensive by some. Would it ever be
OK to use in class?
9
How about the N word?

• Satirists from Mark Twain to Dave Chappelle have
  used the N word as a means to combat racism
  yet many have censored this message.
• Just recently, versions of Twains books have
  been published with the N word removed from
  them.
• Is it ever acceptable to use this word? Why?

10
Sowhats off limits for satire?

• Sexuality
• Religion
• Pregnancy/Abortion
• Race (The N Word)
• Disabilities
• Politics
• The Holocaust and other Genocides
• War
• Too soon? (Michael Jacksons death)

11
Modest Proposal

• Many readers (like Andrea B. and Andrea G. in
  period 4) were more than a bit disturbed by
  Swifts suggestion that we eat babies they
  actually asked if we could stop reading the
  essay.
• Did Swifts essay go to far in its use of satire
  if readers were actually so disgusted that they
  wanted to put down the essay?
• Did these readers, then, miss out on Swifts
  message?
• Is this one of the dangers of satire?

12
Tonights Homework

• HONORS Complete your own Modest Proposal, due
  Friday, 3.11.2011.
• STANDARD Work on your Eggplant satirical
  newspaper, due Tuesday, 3.15.2011.