The English author and publisher Charles A. Knight wonders whether to see satire in the eighteen century as the ideological tool of nationalism or as a satiric fantasy:
“Satire addresses history through the literary imagination and this combination of actuality and fantasy gives satiric nationalism conflicting potential functions. The satiric imagination may assemble the diverse features of nationalism, or it may question the unreal connections that nations assert. The satiric nationalism of the eighteen century exploits the vagueness of its terms. It considers a socio-political model with a literary form open to attack, but powerful in obtaining emotions. In its simple form satiric nationalism attacks other countries by manipulating local stereotypes. However, complex nationalism emerges when satire insists on the priority of universal human nature over the eccentricities of national character and interest. Complex satires explore conflicts and connections between local culture and universal humanity. The yoking of imaginative and historical discourses in satire is applied to nationalistic purposes that are questioned in value and changeable in meaning.”
9 comments:
Hi,Flavia. It's a very interesting article. To tell you the truth, I didn't know it existed such a thing like satiric nationalism and complex nationalism. Curiously, the article refers to satiric nationalism as a feature of the 18th century period. In fact, this century is mentioned twice in the text. What about the 19th and the 20th centuries? Does this concept apply to them? Sorry for asking on this, it's just a doubt I have because I guess, if I am not mistaken, that George Orwell was also a satirist who used to write on political matters even though he belonged to the 20th century. Nestor
Hi Nestor.According to what I have read about George Orwell,you are right.He was considered a satirist who used to write on political matters in the 20th century.I looked for information related to satire in the 18th century,because this is the period we are dealing with,in which the term began to be used.This does not mean,that satire is just part of the 18th century.In fact the term goes on being used,nowadays.I could not find something specific but if you are interested in,please,help me to look for some information connected with this term in the periods you have mentioned.I will appreciate your help...FLAVIA
Fla, this text is really interesting. I agree with you that satire and complex nationalism was a product of 18th century but it also influenced the following centuries. As we saw last class in culture III, 18th century was a period where modern romanticism began. So, there was a spirit of independence and revolt. American people wanted liberty and individual rights. We can see that The Declaration of Independence of the American nation and French Revolution was a result of nationalistic ideas of this century.
Hi Ruth, that was exactly what I asked Flavia: If satirist nationalism was just a literary feature of the 18th century but not an aspect of the following centuries. According to you it was. Anyway, acknowledging whether satirist nationalism is or not an aspect of the modern centuries may probably be an irrelevant matter. By the way, i couldnt find any information of this literary aspect in the modern centuries. Bye. nestor
If you're interested on contemporary satire, this quote may be enlightening:
"Satire is a mode of challenging accepted notions by making them seem ridiculous. It usually occurs only in an age of when there exists no absolute uniformity but rather two sets of beliefs. (...) Further, satire is intimately connected with urbanity and cosmopolitanism, and assumes a civilized opponent who is sufficiently sensitive to feel the barbs of wit leveled at him. (...) An Age of Reason, in which everyone accepts the notion that conduct must be reasonable, is, therefore, a general prerequisite for satire." (Bronowski & Mazlish)
For a first approach to the topic, you can check Wikipedia (click here). A list of contemporary satirists may also be found here.
Hello, so a satiric writer mocks at a particular subject he is refering to in his paper. In the case of a satiric nationalism genre, the writer mocks at a topic which targets particular features of nationalism, does he? According to this, does Orwell George fall in this category of satirist nationalism? As far as I could observe the list of satires, he is there. But is he a satire nationalist?
Simud,Thanks for the extra information which is very clear and complete.
According to Nestor's question, George Orwell wrote 'Animal Farm'. It is a satirical allegory which is connected with the socio-political model.So,I think that Orwell can be a satire nationalist.
Hi Ruth, I agree with you. I'm not the right person to account for this, but it seems to be that Orwell was possibly a satirist nationalist. In first place, he was a satire writter. Secondly, taking into account Orwell's own idea that nationalism involves fex. communism and that a nationalist feeling is in essence a negative one, then, one of his intentions in his most famous novels '1984' and 'Animal Farm', could have possibly been to satirizise a bit on communism. Anyway, I'm drawing my own conclusions, may be I am mistaken. BYe.
People,I think it was very useful not only the information added by Simud about contemporary satire, but also the text by nestor about nationalism,and the differenciation between nationalism and patriotism to enlarge and clarify my topic about satirist nationalism.I thank you all!
Post a Comment