On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life Through Great Books

by Karen Swallow Prior

Unlike a lampoon or a parody or other forms of low comedy, satire relies on both a shared moral standard and a shared desire to attain that standard. This makes satire tricky for two reasons: first, agreement on moral standards varies from age to age, and second, some simply don’t believe that it’s anyone’s job to “correct” anyone else’s behavior. We live today in times that are hard for satire for both of these reasons. Vice and even folly are more and more seen as being “in the eyes of the beholder.” Absent agreement on these, satire just seems mean. On the surface, ridicule doesn’t seem kind, of course. But to ridicule what is wicked or foolish in hopes of preventing more of the same is much kinder than letting wickedness or folly continue along their merry, destructive way. Moreover, the sharp bite of satire leads some to think satire must be pessimistic, misanthropic even. Yet the truth is that the satirist, someone who tries so hard to improve the world, must, I think, love people very much. Even God’s inspired Word contains plenty of irony and satire, such as when Job mocks the worldly-wise friends who’ve taunted his faith, saying, “Doubtless you are the only people who matter, and wisdom will die with you!” (Job 12:2). The satirist loves in the way of God, who chastens those whom he loves. There is only one thing worse than being chastened: that is, not being chastened.