Satire Now and Then

Satire is a powerful tool that students should be able to recognize and understand; however, it can be very elusive for younger students.

Jonathon Swift wrote in the preface of his The Battle of the Books (1704):
Satire is a sort of glass wherein beholders do generally discover everybody's face but their own; which is the chief reason for that kind reception it meets with in the world, and that so very few are offended with it.

On the first day of the lesson, I will introduce the literary element of satire, including satire the students can relate to such as Shrek, Dr. Seuss, Jon Stewart, and The Simpsons. Then I will guide a reading and discussion of works by Jonathon Swift, including “A Modest Proposal” and excerpts from Gulliver’s Travels. Students will demonstrate their understanding of satire by creating their own "modest proposals" in groups, examining a contemporary issue. Students will present their proposals to their classmates; these presentations will be filmed for future use as teaching aids.