Difference Between Sarcasm and Satire (With Table)

Humans use words to communicate with one another and to comprehend their surroundings. People’s names are words that are given to them in order to differentiate them from one another. At home, in school, at work, at play, and everywhere else, people use words. Words, whether written or spoken, are used to communicate between people.

They express themselves by speaking or writing about the words that occur to them from their imaginations. When people attempt to influence others discreetly, they may toy with words. Amusement is achieved through the use of wordplay in literature and the arts. Strangely formed sentences, alliteration, sarcasm, rhetoric, idioms, puns, hyperbole and satire can all be used to accomplish this.

Sarcasm vs Satire

The main difference between sarcasm and satire is that sarcasm is done more roughly and rudely, which can make the person feel too offended. However, satire is done in a very sweet and subtle way that doesn’t make the person feel offended at all. However, satire is a sweet way of making people understand and correct their mistakes than the process of sarcasm.

Sarcasm is a taunt or comment that is used to make fun of someone. It can be excruciatingly unpleasant, and in some cases, downright ugly. In comparison to satire, it is usually done in a more brash and abrasive manner. However, the rationale for its display via vocal skills is less evident. Sarcasm is poisonous. This is a crude kind of taunting. The person may be offended as well. In a conversation between two people, there is a lot of sarcasm.

Satire belongs to the literary genre of satire. It can be more normal and less filthy than sarcasm. Sarcasm is more brazen and rough, whereas Satire is less so. It is expressed in a less embarrassing yet amusing manner that can later be used to improve people’s lives. Satire can be beneficial. It is, however, light and subtle, and it does not offend people. Satire is usually performed with the participation of a bigger group.

Comparison Table Between Sarcasm and Satire

Parameters of Comparison

Sarcasm

Satire

What is it?

Taunt and remark.

Type of literary genre.

Way

Too painful and sometimes nasty.

Normal and comparatively clean.

Nature

More brazen and rough way.

Less brazen and smooth way.

Expression

Less noticeable, exhibition via vocal techniques.

Expression in a less embarrassing yet comic way.

Type

Destructive.

Constructive.

Offence

Rude way of taunting things. It may make the person feel offended as well.

Light and subtle, and it doesn’t make people feel offended.

Between

Dwells between two people.

Dwells in a larger group.

What is Sarcasm?

Sarcasm is derived from the Greek term sarcasm, which means “to tear flesh.” Sarcasm is a mocking, mocking type of communication or humour intended to amuse someone at the cost of someone else. A well-executed sarcastic jab is an art form that needs rapid wit, astute context analysis, and a precise understanding of what a specific person could find stinging. As a result, sarcasm and intellect are frequently confused.

Sarcasm is a code employed by intelligent people to keep idiots out of their talks. It can also be used to mock and ridicule them.

Sarcasm is the practice of humiliating or rebuking someone with a witty insult. It’s not simple to get it properly the first time. Many people claim to despise sarcasm, yet those who execute it effectively, with style and wit, will be admired. That is to say, we usually only notice it when something goes wrong with it.

Sarcasm amuses, or could reasonably amuse, everyone who hears it except the person to whom it is addressed. It can backfire if the joke isn’t very humorous or if the person receiving the critical remark is perceived to be correct. The individual who uses sarcasm in this situation will come across as manipulative, jealous or a bully.

What is Satire?

Satire is a literary form that can also be found in the visual and performing arts. It’s a type of constructive criticism that aims to make fun of the people who are being mocked. Its goal is to use comedy to persuade individuals to make positive changes in their lives. Exaggeration, comedy, taunt, alliteration, pun, and mocking are employed to depict common human abuses, foibles, and flaws. It’s a lighthearted manner of humiliating people to motivate them to make changes in their life.

Satire’s purpose is to mock or criticise social vices that the writer sees as a threat to civilisation. The author believes it is his responsibility to reveal these vices for the sake of humanity’s progress. As a result, satire’s purpose is not to make other people laugh at the people or ideas it mocks. Its goal is to raise awareness and influence people’s minds about the current state of corruption and societal issues.

Satire is a writing approach that employs comedy and irony to expose and criticise a person’s or society’s folly and corruption. By critiquing humankind’s errors, it hopes to improve humankind. In satire, a writer employs fictional characters to expose and denounce the depravity of actual people.

Main Differences Between Sarcasm and Satire

  1. Sarcasm is a type of taunt and remark. However, satire belongs to the family of literary genre.
  2. Sarcasm can be too painful and sometimes nasty even. However, Satire can be normal and comparatively clean.
  3. Sarcasm is generally done more brazenly and roughly in comparison to satire.
  4. Sarcasm is less noticeable, the reason behind its exhibition via vocal techniques. However, satire is expressed in a less embarrassing yet comic way which can be later used to improve the lives of people.
  5. Sarcasm is destructive. On the other hand, satire is constructive.
  6. Sarcasm is a rude way of taunting things. It may make the person feel offended as well. On the other hand, satire is light and subtle, and it doesn’t make people feel offended.
  7. Sarcasm dwells in the conversation between two people. However, satire is generally done with the involvement of a larger group.

Conclusion

Satire is a literary genre in which wit and humour are used to encourage others to take positive action, whereas sarcasm is a caustic comment or remark directed at someone. Satire is a beneficial technique of alerting people to their errors and follies, but sarcasm, depending on how it is delivered, can be destructive.

Both employ humour and wit to get a message across to an audience, but satire can reach a wider audience, whereas sarcasm is typically used in one-on-one conversations. Unlike sarcasm, satire is more nuanced. Satire and sarcasm are easily distinguishable in their written forms, but sarcasm is not because it can be expressed through vocal inflexion.

References

  1. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/089124190019001005