In high school I was introduced to satirical writing. One well-known author of satirical works is Voltaire. At first, I didn't think I would enjoy satirical writing, but I soon found out that, in an obscure way, satirical writing was for me (reading it at least...I probably couldn't pull off actually writing it). Many of these types of works are vulgar, disturbing, and very abstract, but if you ask me they are absolutely hilarious and genius as well. These pieces catch my attention, hold it, and really make me think, not only about the piece, but about life as well.
My senior year, my teacher gave us a short satirical piece to read and respond to. This was and still is my favorite piece of satircal writing, however many of my class members were revolted and could not get beyond the atrocities being prevented to understand the real purpose of the piece. My teacher loved my response and made me read it out loud to the class because "it was so insightful" (her words, not mine). However, being the only one in my class to respond with any positivity made me wonder if there was something wrong with me. Am I a crazy satiric? Do I just think in vulgar ways? Am I a black sheep? Sometimes I still think so, but then other times I wonder if I was just the only one taking the project seriously, which then of course makes me think I'm weird. Was I just a nerd? A teacher-pet? An outcast? I still don't know the answers to those questions. Maybe you can help me find those answers by telling me what you think of this satirical piece.
Jonathan Swift wrote "A Modest Proposal." You can find this piece at this website: http://art-bin.com/art/omodest.html . I think it's worth the time reading it, but it is totally up to you.
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