Tuesday October 13

Before bringing close to American colonial literature, it is important to touch on satire. (See definition below). And while you are aware of the effectiveness of oratorical devices in swaying others to your point of view- hence your speeches due this Thursday using logos, ethos and pathos-satire appeals to both humor and intellect. This powerful tool allows the reader or observer to draw her own conclusions. Once again, as with the rhetorical devices, is is important to think and analyze objectively, to use your critical thinking skills.

From Miriam Webster dictionary: SATIRE
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin Date: 1501
1 : a literary work holding up human vices and follies to ridicule or scorn2 : trenchant wit, irony, or sarcasm used to expose and discredit vice or folly

Social commentary or moral homily?

Class work: The originals of the above etchings are in class today- yes, I said the originals. They were printed in 1743 by the Englishman William Hogarth. I would like you to be aware of these works as satire and as a stepping stone into the development of the novel, both of which are part of the English speaking language tradition and therefore important to the study of American literature. Both, of course, are much alive today. (see The Onion News if you wish for some caustic satire: http://www.theonion.com/content/index )

The above prints are in fact a narrative, a story, which includes all the literary elements. We have characters, plot, setting, tone, dialogue and point of view. There are no wasted bits here; details matter greatly. Using the organizer below, look closely at all the details and flesh out the literary elements of character, setting, plot and tone. Then write an analysis as to what may be implied about the society. What in fact is being satirized? Think beyond the obvious. This should be approximately 100 words. Note that this is a two day process. As you have PSATs on Wednesday, you'll use Thursday during class to finish this.

Note that this process parallels writing a thesis statement, supporting with evidence and then making an analysis statement. Hmmm...should sound very familiar. Keep this in mind for Thursday's essays.

Satirical analysis of William Hogarth’s Before and After.

Before After

Female character 1. 1.

Look carefully!
2. 2.



3. 3.



4. 4.



5. 5.


Male character 1. 1.


Look carefully!
2. 2.



3. 3.




4. 4.



5. 5.

Setting
(look closely at the 1. 1.
details)


2. 2.


3. 3.


4. 4.


5. 5.


Tone
look at the above
and ask yourself how
they establish the tone


Write a couple of sentences that sums up the plot. This is factual, not analytical.

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On a separate sheet of paper, write your 100 word analysis, incorporating the above elements to support your thesis.

addendum: first bonus for second term- you wrote letters last Friday on faux vellum (manila hardstock). What exactly is vellum? name, response under hole puncher.