Final answer:
Ridicule, parody, exaggeration, satire, and reversal are literary terms used in English to mock, imitate, emphasize, criticize, and create comedic effects.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ridicule: a literary term that involves mocking or making fun of someone or something to highlight their flaws or weaknesses. It is often used to criticize societal norms or individuals.
Parody: a literary term that refers to a humorous or satirical imitation of a work, style, or genre. It aims to imitate and exaggerate certain aspects of the original work for comedic effect.
Exaggeration: a literary term that involves overstating or magnifying certain features or characteristics for emphasis or comedic effect. It is often used to create humor or emphasize a point.
Satire: a literary term that combines ridicule, irony, and wit to criticize or mock human vices, weaknesses, or societal issues. It often employs humor and sarcasm to expose and question certain aspects of society.
Reversal: a literary term that involves a sudden change or inversion of circumstances, often for comedic effect. It surprises the reader or audience by presenting a situation that is opposite to what was expected.
Some examples of these literary terms include:
- In Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal," he uses ridicule to mock the English government's indifference towards poverty in Ireland.
- "Don Quixote" by Miguel de Cervantes is an example of parody as it parodies the chivalric romance genre.
- In Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," he uses exaggeration to emphasize the absurdity of certain aspects of society.
- "Animal Farm" by George Orwell is a classic example of satire as it satirizes the events leading up to the Russian Revolution.
- William Shakespeare's play "Twelfth Night" involves reversal as characters disguise themselves and assume different roles, leading to mistaken identities and comedic situations.
Learn more about Literary Terms