What is the one of e.e. cumings poems ' anyone lived in a pretty how town' and 'old age sticks'? Where is the satire? To me, satire is funny, and I don't find either of these to be funny!
P.S. Look carefully at this definition of "satire" from the Online Merriam Webster Dictionary:
1. 1 a literary work holding up human vices and follies to ridicule or scorn
2. 2 trenchant wit, irony, or sarcasm used to expose and discredit vice or folly - Synonym - see wit
Sra
The American Experience: California Edition (Prentice Hall Literature
Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes
This is the textbook we are using and it says, " Satire is writing in which an author uses humor to ridicule or criticize certain individuals, institutions, types of behavior, or even humanity in general".
The poems "anyone lived in a pretty how town" and "old age sticks" by e.e. cummings are not satirical in the traditional sense of being funny or humorous. Satire is a literary device that uses irony, sarcasm, or ridicule to criticize or mock something or someone. However, not all satire needs to be funny; it can also be thought-provoking or critical.
In the case of these two poems, the satire lies in their commentary on society and the human condition. e.e. cummings explores themes of conformity, societal norms, and the passage of time. Through his unconventional use of language and syntax, he draws attention to the dehumanizing effects of conformity and the superficiality of a society that values conformity over individuality.
In "anyone lived in a pretty how town," the poem tells the story of the life and death of "anyone" in a small town. 's repetitive structure and lack of specific names for the characters represent the faceless, anonymous nature of a conformist society. The poem satirizes how people in the town go through life without truly connecting or understanding each other.
Similarly, in "old age sticks," the poem explores the themes of aging, the passage of time, and societal expectations. Through his complex wordplay and unconventional punctuation, cummings challenges the way society views aging. The poem satirizes the inherent stereotypes and biases associated with getting old and the loss of vitality that comes with it.
So, while these poems may not be traditionally humorous, they use poetic techniques to satirize societal norms and challenge the reader's perspective on conformity, aging, and the human experience. The satire lies in the thought-provoking nature of the poems rather than in making the reader laugh.