Voltaire used certain literary techniques and language, such as humor, in order to effusively express his contempt of what was happening in his world. Voltaire uses humor from the beginning of the novel, and doesn’t stop until the end. At the start of the novel, he uses names such as “Thunder-Ten-Tronckh” (Voltaire 1) in order to ridicule the guttural way that the German language sounds. This is evident again when Candide asks about a Mr. Vanderdendur, which can be seen as a play on names with a Germanic origin. The name is also supposed to suggest a certain VanDuren, who has gotten into an argument with Voltaire in real life (Voltaire 40).
Establishing Ethos in Writing An author can write with spectacular diction and elegant flow, but without establishing good ethos, that can dilute the rest of the message. In Sherman Alexie’s What You Pawn I Will Redeem, Lame Deer’s Talking to the Owls and Butterflies, and Benjamin Franklin’s Way to Wealth, their writings are focused on this exact idea. Whether it is through telling a story of a drunken Indian, attacking whites for what they have done to the world, or even giving advice on work ethic and gratuity, they all let their intelligence shine, make the reader feel sympathetic, and add some humor to lighten the mood. Each of the three authors portrays their intelligence in unique manner. At the end of Franklin’s essay he states, “I am, as ever, thine to
Unless they’re derailed, you pretty much know where to find them…” (216). He takes advantage of this anecdote to point out how preposterous people can be. Not only is his writing style jam-packed with cleverness and wit, but he also uses common vernacular to relate with the average American and make it a pleasurable book. Even though there is some more
Bill Maher’s funny approach to the inconsistencies and irrational conceptions within religion truly reinforce my stance. The hypocrisy in this film is geared towards religious believers, however, I did notice some hypocrisy within his own dialogue. A few scenes following the intro he makes a statement that religion is selling an invisible product. This seems hypocritical to me because this is exactly his line of work. Bill Maher is a comedian.
For example both Sedaris and Swift use satire, however their satire defers in Swift use the satire towards others while Sedaris uses it to poke fun at himself. Sedaris uses the element of details to add to humor just as Swift uses details to add to his. There are differences in the humor as well such as Swifts appeal to utilitarianism opposed to Sedaris appeal to practicality. Swift and Sedaris are great writers who are similar as well as different in using humor, satire and irony in their delivery of their writing. Sedaris and Swift share multiple similarities in their writing such as the element of details to add humor.
Benjamin Franklin is noted for, among other things, his autobiographical works which tend to throw a positive light on his musings and pseudo-enlightenment of the human condition. However, there are many people who have disagreed with his arguments, such as his list of virtues. One such man, D. H. Lawrence, decided to take a stand and put his opinions about Ben Franklin into writing. This is now a widely recognized satirical essay. Through satirical devices and tropes, D. H. Lawrence reveals the absurd and fatal flaws that Ben Franklin proposed in his writings.
Because people are making fun of his nose he is able to provide witty humor that makes the book become a comedy. Valvert says “Ah…your nose…hem!...Your nose is…rather large!” “Rather” “Oh well” “Is that all” “Well of course.”(35-36 Act 1) But Cyrano does not leave it like this he replies by insulting Valvert and ultimately making him angry by telling him all the better insults that he could have had. He threw it right back in his face by making it a joke. Throughout the story comedy like this occurs and that is why I believe it is a
Nick Ray ENGL 102- Dr. Milam April 19, 2013 Parody of Western Genre Blazing Saddles, a Mel Brooks’ film, is a parody of the western genre. The main purpose of this film is to make fun of the western genre. Mel Brooks is known for his satire in films and other genres. Blazing Saddles, in some opinions, is one of the funniest films made by Brooks. Many of the film’s ideas and problems are common of westerns, but Brooks puts a switch in Blazing Saddles.
Moliere’s Tartuffe In Moliere’s satire, Tartuffe, the author fires his caustic wit upon the social topics of religious hypocrisy and the inability of obsessed characters to hear the voices of reason around them. At first glance, the focus of this work seems to be religious hypocrisy; however, it is the underlying subplots of obsessive behaviors stay in the mind’s eye until end. Moliere’s portrayal of obsessive characters is certainly exaggerated, but there is a clear note of truth that rings through in their powerlessness to hear reason. Until the spell that binds them to their compulsion is broken, these characters are unable to hear the voices of reason that are shouting the truth to them. The main actor of this play who displays the deafness that comes with obsession is Orgon with his religious fervor that blinds him to his responsibility to his family.
I. Preface. John Steinbeck is one of the greatest storytellers of the twentieth century. He was born in Salinas, California in 1902. His wonderful novellas The Pearl, Cannery Row, The Red Pony, and Of Mice and Men not only introduce readers to a fascinating, realistic cast of characters, make the hills and seacoast of California and Mexico come to life, but also tell intriguing stories of the lives of real people.