Satire has the up-most importance in the Enlightened times. Though it can be found in various forms and styles, it’s use is effective in getting points across. It allows the debate of ideas and for people to explore other options to society’s problems. What makes satire so glorious is the fact they “dumb down” the topic at hand & make it like a farce, while the real meaning is only appreciated & understood by the intellectuals of society.
The Enlightened times was a period of profound change. People’s thinking was flipped over on its head. The Earth was no longer flat. There were many issues that needed to be deal with. To do so, the art of satire was born. Satire uses puns, symbolism, and sarcasm to get its point across. These techniques have obviously proven themselves to be effective, since satire is still used today. The arguments were made potent and precisely using satire.
One of the most famous of satires from this time was Jonathon Swift’s “A Modest Proposal.” In it, you can see how outlandish statements can have hidden meanings. He talks about mothers putting up their children as a food source to help with their poverty. For example, this quote says: ”I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed is at a year old a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled ...” This is actually a zing against Americans. At this time, the Americans beat the English for control of The United States. He’s saying the Americans are babyeaters. This is humorous, yet a diss towards them.
He also makes a jab at Catholicism. He writes: “Infant's flesh will be in season throughout the year, but more plentiful in March, and a little before and after; for we are told by a grave author, an eminent French physician, that fish being a prolific diet, there are more children born in Roman Catholic countries about nine months after Lent than at any other season; therefore, reckoning a year after Lent, the markets will be more glutted than usual, because the number of popish infants is at least three to one in this kingdom: and therefore it will have one other collateral advantage, by lessening the number of papists among us.” Since the English hated the Roman Catholics, this is hilarious for the fact he thinks they should eat all of the babies of their moral enemies. Plus, the sexual undertones make the piece memorable, swift & incredible.
Satire is one of the most classic forms of criticism. It can single-handedly bring about change in ideas & spread new thoughts around intelligent circles. Without it, the Enlightenment era would have fell flat on its face. If it were not for satire, the world might not be the place it is today.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Three Cheers for Existentialism
When one first starts learning about Existentialism, he or she might not know how to feel about it. Some of the points are a bit… out there, to say the least. After reading “The Stranger” though, the mind will be forever altered. It proves that the Existential teachings are important beyond words. They are potent & intelligent. They make sense.
The universe is an absurd place. It make zero sense. & as human beings, it is impossible to understand it. It might burst one’s bubble, but life has no meaning. There is not a master plan. Humans were put in the universe for no reason. The best option, hiding behind door number three though, is to just accept that life is “absurd” and to move on. Humans must find the beauty in life, for that is the meaning of life. If one misses the meaning, then what’s the point of living in the first place? Along with this, we have to take responsibility for our actions and be individuals.
In ‘The Stranger’, Meursault lives his life without vigor. He goes through the motions of life but doesn’t accept any of his own actions as… his own, and fails to see the beauty in life. He kills an Arab, but he does so for no good reason. He says he killed him ‘cause of… the sun. He is later executed for his actions.
The following explains why he did it. “A shaft of light shot upward from the steel, and I felt as if a long, thin blade transfixed my forehead. At the same moment all the sweat…splashed down on my eyelids, covering them with... moisture.” This is absolutely ridiculous. Human beings are notorious for making excuses for their actions. This is a farce of sorts, but it can be applied to one’s life directly. You must own up to your actions.
In other words, think about this quote by Victor E. Frankl. “…the meaning of life always changes, but it never ceases to be. We can discover this meaning in life in three different ways: (1) by doing a deed; (2) by experiencing a value; and (3) by suffering.” This means the meaning of life is always there. Human beings simply need to find it in their lives, day by day. To tap into this experience, one must make action in his or her life. One may do so by having an action occur to him or her that proves how much something is worth to them. Finally, one has to suffer to see the beauty and meaning.
The latter makes the most sense. If one does not experience pain, then how can it be calibrated? How can happiness be truly felt and appreciated if the lowest of feelings doesn’t exist. Life is like a wave, it is in continuous motion and in order to ride the very top of the wave, one must dip down low into the valley to get the full appreciation.
In short, Existentialism is everywhere one looks. It’s a simple mindset that will forever change one’s life. He or she just needs to look at their actions & selves, along with owning up to what they do, to reach the zenith of life.
The universe is an absurd place. It make zero sense. & as human beings, it is impossible to understand it. It might burst one’s bubble, but life has no meaning. There is not a master plan. Humans were put in the universe for no reason. The best option, hiding behind door number three though, is to just accept that life is “absurd” and to move on. Humans must find the beauty in life, for that is the meaning of life. If one misses the meaning, then what’s the point of living in the first place? Along with this, we have to take responsibility for our actions and be individuals.
In ‘The Stranger’, Meursault lives his life without vigor. He goes through the motions of life but doesn’t accept any of his own actions as… his own, and fails to see the beauty in life. He kills an Arab, but he does so for no good reason. He says he killed him ‘cause of… the sun. He is later executed for his actions.
The following explains why he did it. “A shaft of light shot upward from the steel, and I felt as if a long, thin blade transfixed my forehead. At the same moment all the sweat…splashed down on my eyelids, covering them with... moisture.” This is absolutely ridiculous. Human beings are notorious for making excuses for their actions. This is a farce of sorts, but it can be applied to one’s life directly. You must own up to your actions.
In other words, think about this quote by Victor E. Frankl. “…the meaning of life always changes, but it never ceases to be. We can discover this meaning in life in three different ways: (1) by doing a deed; (2) by experiencing a value; and (3) by suffering.” This means the meaning of life is always there. Human beings simply need to find it in their lives, day by day. To tap into this experience, one must make action in his or her life. One may do so by having an action occur to him or her that proves how much something is worth to them. Finally, one has to suffer to see the beauty and meaning.
The latter makes the most sense. If one does not experience pain, then how can it be calibrated? How can happiness be truly felt and appreciated if the lowest of feelings doesn’t exist. Life is like a wave, it is in continuous motion and in order to ride the very top of the wave, one must dip down low into the valley to get the full appreciation.
In short, Existentialism is everywhere one looks. It’s a simple mindset that will forever change one’s life. He or she just needs to look at their actions & selves, along with owning up to what they do, to reach the zenith of life.
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