Ee Cummings Satire

Writers use satire in literature in order to allow readers to ridicule or criticize characters or society by enjoying the criticism through the writer’s use of humour, exaggeration, and irony. In this essay, I will examine the use of satire in the novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and in the poem “anyone lived in a pretty how town” by E.E Cummings, and I will compare the satirical techniques used in both texts, as well as determine how the usage of satire adds to the enjoyment of the reader. In first chapter of Pride and Prejudice, Austen uses dialogue and tone to develop a satire, which continues out throughout the novel, The satirical tone is retained all throughout E.E Cummings’ poem through the elements of imagery and diction. Pride

Austen satirizes the expectation that women must marry wealthy men, primarily through tone and diction. The novel opens by stating that a wealthy bachelor “must” (5) want a wife. The word “must” implies that a rich man is entitled to want a wife, and that entitlement is granted by the social norms of the time. The word also adds to Austen’s sarcasm that a wealthy man is obligated to want a wife, she mocks this mindset. This idea is further ridiculed through the character of Mrs.Bennet, who describes to her husband the man she wishes to be her son-in-law. During this description, Mrs.Bennet mentions the man’s abundance of fortune, and how much he is worth but fails to mention his name. Austen deliberately chooses to leave out the man’s name in her description in order to depict the idea that, personality or compatibility is not regarded when marriage eligibility is being determined, rather only wealth and reputation is regarded. Austen satirizes this mindset interactions between the incompatible Mr. and Mrs.Bennet. Through an abundance of dialogue, it is evident that Mrs.Bennet is talkative and a gossiper. Contrastingly, Mr.Bennet barely speaks or even replies to Mrs.Bennet, suggesting his lack of interest. Mrs.Bennet “impatiently” (5) waits for Mr.Bennet to reply and partake in her gossip, but he does not seem to take much interest

Mrs.Bennet’s gossipy nature and determination to get her daughters married in juxtaposition to Mr.Bennet’s lack of interest on the matter or towards his wife, in addition to his quirky sarcastic nature, establishes a comical effect for the reader. This form of satire is highly enjoyable as a reader as I am able to laugh and ridicule the society and characters established by Austen. On the other hand, Cummings approach uses imagery, diction, and the poem’s structure to ridicule those who conform to society, however achieve nothing for themselves in the tedious cycle of life. Cummings suggests that readers should break this cycle and follow the path of nonconformity. Cummings poem is not meant for the mere enjoyment for the reader, his usage of imagery and diction creates a profound impact on the