Question

What are the differences between sarcasm, irony and satire?

Answer 1

Sarcasm is a direct and bitter remark in order to silence one or make one realize how foolish they are. The example sentence ‘Mirrors can't talk, lucky for you they can't laugh either’ states that people check mirrors to present them well and when they leave the mirror after all their touch up, the mirror will laugh itself looking at the appearance of the person.

Irony is using language which normally states the opposite for humorous purposes. Most of the time it uses hidden meaning rather than employing direct meaning. It is usually humorous but also conveys some strong message at times. In the sentence ‘The policeman’s house was robbed’ suggests that police is supposed to protect people from robbers but if they are robbed, the efficiency of the police is questioned.

Satire is the highest form among the three as it uses humour, irony at times exaggeration and ridiculing in order to point out the negative aspects of people, politics and even governments. They might use corruption, the impact of religion, the discrimination etc. as their subject. Most of the literary works, especially novels, dramas and poetry have handled satire well.