Sarcasm

Understanding Sarcasm

• Sarcasm is a stylistic device used by writers to express scorn, contempt, or make a humorous or harsh comment.
• It involves saying something but implying the opposite, usually in an insulting or mocking way.
• Sarcasm often exposes the incongruity between a situation and the accompanying expression, serving to undercut or ridicule the topic at hand.

Recognising Sarcasm

• To identify sarcasm, be alert to phrases or sentences that seem to convey a contradictory or ironic meaning.
• The tone of the text is key. Sarcastic remarks often carry a bitter, sardonic, or derisive tone.
• Contextual cues can also indicate sarcasm. For instance, an exaggeratedly positive comment about a clearly negative situation may suggest sarcasm.
• Identification can be challenging, as sarcasm relies on the reader’s interpretation and understanding of the context and tone.

Analysing Sarcasm

• Once you’ve identified sarcasm, consider its function and impact in the text.
• Often, sarcasm is used to highlight irony, provoke thought, or satirise a situation.
• Think about how such use impacts the overall tone and mood of the piece and the characterisation of speakers in the text.
• Sarcasm can also be used to communicate critique or dissent in a less direct, more palatable manner.

Influence of Sarcasm

• Sarcasm can dramatically alter a message’s tone, adding a layer of irony or satire.
• It often humanises the text or character, making them seem more witty or relatable.
• Sarcasm can create dramatic irony, where the reader understands the contrast between the literal and intended meaning, but the characters in the text do not.
• In a critical analysis, discuss the effect of sarcasm on the audience’s perception and the message being conveyed.

Remember, recognising and investigating the use of sarcasm in a text can add depth to analysis, leading to a richer understanding of the author’s intent, the text’s tone, and the impact on the reader.