CAT ARTICLE DOSE – 8

Recent explorations in scholarly research have delved into the motivations and perspectives of satirists, rather
than focusing solely on the content and impact of satire, as earlier investigations did. Amid the increased interest
in understanding whether satire, both its creation and consumption, arises from a need to foster political
engagement and democracy, three primary theories have emerged: relief, cynicism, and activism.

The relief theory proposes that the primary motivation for creating and consuming satire is to provide comic
relief from daily life. According to this perspective, first introduced by Bergson, satire imbues society with
elasticity, offering a way to navigate and endure life's unpleasant and unexpected events. Satire acts as a societal
shock absorber, allowing individuals to adjust and adapt to changing circumstances. His philosophy resonates
with Bakhtin's carnivalesque concept, which asserts that laughter embodies human nature's wildness and
innocence. For Bakhtin, satire provides a temporary suspension of societal laws, bans, and restrictions, instilling
a moment of unfettered joy. In essence, satire serves to dilute grievances and foster a sense of pleasure, offering
an alternative form of satisfaction that replaces the need for immediate problem resolution.

The cynicism perspective of satire adopts a pessimistic outlook, characterized by widespread distrust, feelings of
helplessness, and a general avoidance of participation that can potentially corrode one's perception of social
reality and political efficacy. Satirists who adhere to this view tend to have low faith in the political system. They
vent their skepticism through their work, focusing on highlighting the negative aspects of society rather than
using satire for pure amusement. This style often culminates in a breed of satire dubbed "pseudo-satire," which
critiques politics and politicians without substantive arguments or solutions. This view can be seen as nihilistic.
However, it's worth noting that cynicism does not imply a complete loss of faith or hope for positive change. This
is particularly true in the concept of "kynicism" proposed by Sloterdijk, which contends that it's possible to be
skeptical and critical yet still maintain hope for a positive societal transformation.

The activism perspective offers a counterpoint to the cynicism theory by arguing that the impetus for satire
creation comes from a strong desire to engage in public affairs. In this view, the humorous elements interwoven
into satire can make serious political debates more appealing and digestible to the general public. Moreover,
satirists are often motivated by their negative views of their satirical targets, with feelings such as anger serving
to heighten their awareness of societal problems and spurring them to act. This perspective often sees satire as
a tool for emancipation and subversion, striving to cultivate a more informed audience while fostering critical
public discussions that resist oppressors and challenge ingrained societal privileges. However, it's important to
note that this activist orientation does not necessarily imply that satirists seek to assume missionary or
interventionist roles. They often see themselves as "eye-openers and questioners," aiming to challenge societal
norms rather than pushing a specific political agenda or campaign.

While each view offers a lens to examine the motivations behind satire creation, it's noteworthy that satirists
typically don't create for a singular purpose, but instead balance a range of concurrent, sometimes contradictory
reasons. Their work often wavers between traditional journalistic professionalism and attention-grabbing
infotainment. This hybrid style of satire is influenced by socio-political climates and cultural contexts, which need
to be understood to fully comprehend the satirist's intent and the broader meanings that contemporary satire
seeks to convey.
[Turn to the next page to check your comprehension]
DID YOU UNDERSTAND THE PASSAGE?
1. VOCABULARY CHECK

Recent explorations in scholarly research have delved into the motivations and perspectives of satirists, rather than focusing
solely on the content and impact of satire, as earlier investigations did. Amid the increased interest in understanding whether
satire, both its creation and consumption, arises from a need to foster political engagement and democracy, three primary
theories have emerged: relief, cynicism, and activism.

The relief theory proposes that the primary motivation for creating and consuming satire is to provide comic relief from daily
life. According to this perspective, first introduced by Bergson, satire [1] imbues [1] society with elasticity, offering a way to
navigate and endure life's unpleasant and unexpected events. Satire acts as a [2] societal shock absorber [2], allowing
individuals to adjust and adapt to changing circumstances. His philosophy resonates with Bakhtin's [3] carnivalesque
concept [3], which asserts that laughter embodies human nature's wildness and innocence. For Bakhtin, satire provides a
temporary suspension of societal laws, bans, and restrictions, instilling a moment of unfettered joy. In essence, satire serves
to dilute grievances and foster a sense of pleasure, offering an alternative form of satisfaction that replaces the need for
immediate problem resolution.

The cynicism perspective of satire adopts a pessimistic outlook, characterized by widespread distrust, feelings of
helplessness, and a general avoidance of participation that can potentially corrode one's perception of social reality and
political efficacy. Satirists who adhere to this view tend to have low faith in the political system. They vent their skepticism
through their work, focusing on highlighting the negative aspects of society rather than using satire for pure amusement.
This style often culminates in a breed of satire dubbed [4] "pseudo-satire," [4] which critiques politics and politicians
without substantive arguments or solutions. This view can be seen as [5] nihilistic [5]. However, it's worth noting that
cynicism does not imply a complete loss of faith or hope for positive change. This is particularly true in the concept of [6]
"kynicism" [6] proposed by Sloterdijk, which contends that it's possible to be skeptical and critical yet still maintain hope for
a positive societal transformation.

The activism perspective offers a counterpoint to the cynicism theory by arguing that the [7] impetus [7] for satire creation
comes from a strong desire to engage in public affairs. In this view, the humorous elements interwoven into satire can make
serious political debates more appealing and digestible to the general public. Moreover, satirists are often motivated by their
negative views of their satirical targets, with feelings such as anger serving to heighten their awareness of societal problems
and spurring them to act. This perspective often sees satire as a tool for [8] emancipation [8] and [9] subversion [9],
striving to cultivate a more informed audience while fostering critical public discussions that resist oppressors and challenge
ingrained societal privileges. However, it's important to note that this activist orientation does not necessarily imply that
satirists seek to assume missionary or [10] interventionist roles [10]. They often see themselves as "eye-openers and
questioners," aiming to challenge societal norms rather than pushing a specific political agenda or campaign.

While each view offers a lens to examine the motivations behind satire creation, it's noteworthy that satirists typically don't
create for a singular purpose, but instead balance a range of concurrent, sometimes contradictory reasons. Their work often
[11] wavers [11] between traditional journalistic professionalism and attention-grabbing infotainment. This hybrid style of
satire is influenced by socio-political climates and cultural contexts, which need to be understood to fully comprehend the
satirist's intent and the broader meanings that contemporary satire seeks to convey.
1. What is the contextual meaning of "imbues" (word [1]) in the passage?
A) Suppresses
B) Infuses
C) Alienates

2. What is the contextual meaning of "societal shock absorber" (words [2]) in the passage?
A) A disruptive force in society
B) A coping mechanism for society
C) A catalyst for social change

3. What is the contextual meaning of "carnivalesque concept" (words [3]) in the passage?
A) A theory about the origins of satire
B) A form of entertainment without societal rules
C) A perspective on the nature of laughter

4. What is the contextual meaning of "pseudo-satire" (words [4]) in the passage?

A) Satire with substantive arguments and solutions
B) Satire without substantive arguments or solutions
C) Satire that mimics other literary genres

5. What is the contextual meaning of "nihilistic" (word [5]) in the passage?

A) Optimistic and hopeful
B) Skeptical and critical
C) Rejecting all religious and moral principles

6. What is the contextual meaning of "kynicism" (word [6]) in the passage?

A) Skepticism combined with hope for positive change
B) Satire targeting political systems and politicians
C) Satire as a form of entertainment

7. What is the contextual meaning of "impetus" (word [7]) in the passage?

A) A hindrance or obstacle
B) A driving force or motivation
C) A passive state of mind

8. What is the contextual meaning of "emancipation" (word [8]) in the passage?

A) A state of oppression and restriction
B) Liberation or freedom
C) Involvement in public affairs

9. What is the contextual meaning of "subversion" (word [9]) in the passage?

A) Conformity to societal norms
B) A critical challenge to established norms
C) A belief in political intervention

10. What is the contextual meaning of "interventionist roles" (words [10]) in the passage?
A) Active involvement in political campaigns
B) Passive observation of societal issues
C) Advocacy for immediate problem resolution

11. What is the contextual meaning of "wavers" (word [11]) in the passage?
A) Exhibits inconsistency or fluctuation
B) Demonstrates unwavering commitment
C) Balances contradictory reasons effectively

[More questions on the next page]

2. COMPREHENSION CHECK

In this exercise, your task is to identify the key sentence. The key sentence encapsulates the main idea or theme of
the paragraph.

[1] Recent explorations in scholarly research have delved into the motivations and perspectives of satirists, rather than
focusing solely on the content and impact of satire, as earlier investigations did. [2] Amid the increased interest in
understanding whether satire, both its creation and consumption, arises from a need to foster political engagement and
democracy, three primary theories have emerged: relief, cynicism, and activism.

[3] The relief theory proposes that the primary motivation for creating and consuming satire is to provide comic relief from
daily life. [4] According to this perspective, first introduced by Bergson, satire imbues society with elasticity, offering a way to
navigate and endure life's unpleasant and unexpected events. [5] Satire acts as a societal shock absorber, allowing
individuals to adjust and adapt to changing circumstances. [6] His philosophy resonates with Bakhtin's carnivalesque
concept, which asserts that laughter embodies human nature's wildness and innocence. [7] For Bakhtin, satire provides a
temporary suspension of societal laws, bans, and restrictions, instilling a moment of unfettered joy. [8] In essence, satire
serves to dilute grievances and foster a sense of pleasure, offering an alternative form of satisfaction that replaces the need
for immediate problem resolution.

[9] The cynicism perspective of satire adopts a pessimistic outlook, characterized by widespread distrust, feelings of
helplessness, and a general avoidance of participation that can potentially corrode one's perception of social reality and
political efficacy. [10] Satirists who adhere to this view tend to have low faith in the political system. [11] They vent their
skepticism through their work, focusing on highlighting the negative aspects of society rather than using satire for pure
amusement. [12] This style often culminates in a breed of satire dubbed "pseudo-satire," which critiques politics and
politicians without substantive arguments or solutions. [13] This view can be seen as nihilistic. [14] However, it's worth noting
that cynicism does not imply a complete loss of faith or hope for positive change. [15] This is particularly true in the concept
of "kynicism" proposed by Sloterdijk, which contends that it's possible to be skeptical and critical yet still maintain hope for a
positive societal transformation.

[16] The activism perspective offers a counterpoint to the cynicism theory by arguing that the impetus for satire creation
comes from a strong desire to engage in public affairs. [17] In this view, the humorous elements interwoven into satire can
make serious political debates more appealing and digestible to the general public. [18] Moreover, satirists are often
motivated by their negative views of their satirical targets, with feelings such as anger serving to heighten their awareness of
societal problems and spurring them to act. [19] This perspective often sees satire as a tool for emancipation and
subversion, striving to cultivate a more informed audience while fostering critical public discussions that resist oppressors
and challenge ingrained societal privileges. [20] However, it's important to note that this activist orientation does not
necessarily imply that satirists seek to assume missionary or interventionist roles. [21] They often see themselves as "eye-
openers and questioners," aiming to challenge societal norms rather than pushing a specific political agenda or campaign.

[22] While each view offers a lens to examine the motivations behind satire creation, it's noteworthy that satirists typically
don't create for a singular purpose, but instead balance a range of concurrent, sometimes contradictory reasons. [23] Their
work often wavers between traditional journalistic professionalism and attention-grabbing infotainment. [24] This hybrid style
of satire is influenced by socio-political climates and cultural contexts, which need to be understood to fully comprehend the
satirist's intent and the broader meanings that contemporary satire seeks to convey.

[More questions on the next page]

3. REASONING CHECK

Match each of the given examples, if it were to be true, to the correct theory
RELIEF CYNICISM ACTIVISM
Statement
THEORY THEORY THEORY
The movie Dr. Strangelove uses satire to showcase the absurdities and
1 dangers of nuclear warfare, revealing a cynical view of global politics and   
the military-industrial complex.
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah often takes heavy political topics and adds
2 a twist of humor to them, offering audiences a much-needed reprieve from   
the serious nature of the news.
The satire in the movie The Great Dictator by Charlie Chaplin aims to
3 expose the horrors of the Nazi regime, advocating for change and   
resistance.
The satirical novel Catch-22 by Joseph Heller uses humor and absurdity to
4 depict the horrors of war, providing comic relief while also highlighting the   
ridiculousness of bureaucratic systems.
The satirical TV show Last Week Tonight with John Oliver often uses humor
5 to shed light on serious, underreported issues, pushing audiences to   
become more informed and potentially take action.
The dystopian novel 1984 by George Orwell uses satire to portray a bleak,
6 totalitarian society, highlighting the dangers of unlimited governmental   
control.
The TV series House of Cards uses satire to exaggerate the corruption in
7   
the political system, expressing a cynical view of politics.
The political cartoons of The New Yorker often infuse current issues with wit
8 and humor, making complex topics more digestible and providing relief to   
readers.
The satirical play The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui by Bertolt Brecht uses a
9 Chicago mobster story to allegorically critique Hitler's rise to power, aiming   
to inspire action and awareness about the dangers of fascist tendencies.

[Turn to the next page for the correct answers]

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
1. VOCABULARY CHECK ANSWERS

1. What is the contextual meaning of "imbues" (word [1]) in the passage?

A) Suppresses
B) Infuses
C) Alienates

2. What is the contextual meaning of "societal shock absorber" (words [2]) in the passage?
A) A disruptive force in society
B) A coping mechanism for society
C) A catalyst for social change

3. What is the contextual meaning of "carnivalesque concept" (words [3]) in the passage?
A) A theory about the origins of satire
B) A form of entertainment without societal rules
C) A perspective on the nature of laughter

4. What is the contextual meaning of "pseudo-satire" (words [4]) in the passage?

A) Satire with substantive arguments and solutions
B) Satire without substantive arguments or solutions
C) Satire that mimics other literary genres

5. What is the contextual meaning of "nihilistic" (word [5]) in the passage?

A) Optimistic and hopeful
B) Skeptical and critical
C) Rejecting all religious and moral principles

6. What is the contextual meaning of "kynicism" (word [6]) in the passage?

A) Skepticism combined with hope for positive change
B) Satire targeting political systems and politicians
C) Satire as a form of entertainment

7. What is the contextual meaning of "impetus" (word [7]) in the passage?

A) A hindrance or obstacle
B) A driving force or motivation
C) A passive state of mind

8. What is the contextual meaning of "emancipation" (word [8]) in the passage?

A) A state of oppression and restriction
B) Liberation or freedom
C) Involvement in public affairs

9. What is the contextual meaning of "subversion" (word [9]) in the passage?

A) Conformity to societal norms
B) A critical challenge to established norms
C) A belief in political intervention

10. What is the contextual meaning of "interventionist roles" (words [10]) in the passage?
A) Active involvement in political campaigns
B) Passive observation of societal issues
C) Advocacy for immediate problem resolution

11. What is the contextual meaning of "wavers" (word [11]) in the passage?
A) Exhibits inconsistency or fluctuation
B) Demonstrates unwavering commitment
C) Balances contradictory reasons effectively
2. COMPREHENSION CHECK ANSWERS

In this exercise, your task is to identify the key sentence.

[1] Recent explorations in scholarly research have delved into the motivations and perspectives of satirists, rather than
focusing solely on the content and impact of satire, as earlier investigations did. [2] Amid the increased interest in
understanding whether satire, both its creation and consumption, arises from a need to foster political engagement and
democracy, three primary theories have emerged: relief, cynicism, and activism.

[3] The relief theory proposes that the primary motivation for creating and consuming satire is to provide comic relief from
daily life. [4] According to this perspective, first introduced by Bergson, satire imbues society with elasticity, offering a way to
navigate and endure life's unpleasant and unexpected events. [5] Satire acts as a societal shock absorber, allowing
individuals to adjust and adapt to changing circumstances. [6] His philosophy resonates with Bakhtin's carnivalesque
concept, which asserts that laughter embodies human nature's wildness and innocence. [7] For Bakhtin, satire provides a
temporary suspension of societal laws, bans, and restrictions, instilling a moment of unfettered joy. [8] In essence, satire
serves to dilute grievances and foster a sense of pleasure, offering an alternative form of satisfaction that replaces the need
for immediate problem resolution.

[9] The cynicism perspective of satire adopts a pessimistic outlook, characterized by widespread distrust, feelings of
helplessness, and a general avoidance of participation that can potentially corrode one's perception of social reality and
political efficacy. [10] Satirists who adhere to this view tend to have low faith in the political system. [11] They vent their
skepticism through their work, focusing on highlighting the negative aspects of society rather than using satire for pure
amusement. [12] This style often culminates in a breed of satire dubbed "pseudo-satire," which critiques politics and
politicians without substantive arguments or solutions. [13] This view can be seen as nihilistic. [14] However, it's worth noting
that cynicism does not imply a complete loss of faith or hope for positive change. [15] This is particularly true in the concept
of "kynicism" proposed by Sloterdijk, which contends that it's possible to be skeptical and critical yet still maintain hope for a
positive societal transformation.

[16] The activism perspective offers a counterpoint to the cynicism theory by arguing that the impetus for satire creation
comes from a strong desire to engage in public affairs. [17] In this view, the humorous elements interwoven into satire can
make serious political debates more appealing and digestible to the general public. [18] Moreover, satirists are often
motivated by their negative views of their satirical targets, with feelings such as anger serving to heighten their awareness of
societal problems and spurring them to act. [19] This perspective often sees satire as a tool for emancipation and
subversion, striving to cultivate a more informed audience while fostering critical public discussions that resist oppressors
and challenge ingrained societal privileges. [20] However, it's important to note that this activist orientation does not
necessarily imply that satirists seek to assume missionary or interventionist roles. [21] They often see themselves as "eye-
openers and questioners," aiming to challenge societal norms rather than pushing a specific political agenda or campaign.

[22] While each view offers a lens to examine the motivations behind satire creation, it's noteworthy that satirists typically
don't create for a singular purpose, but instead balance a range of concurrent, sometimes contradictory reasons. [23] Their
work often wavers between traditional journalistic professionalism and attention-grabbing infotainment. [24] This hybrid style
of satire is influenced by socio-political climates and cultural contexts, which need to be understood to fully comprehend the
satirist's intent and the broader meanings that contemporary satire seeks to convey.

[Go to the next page]

3. REASONING CHECK ANSWERS

Match each of the given examples, if it were to be true, to the correct theory
RELIEF CYNICISM ACTIVISM
Statement
THEORY THEORY THEORY
The movie Dr. Strangelove uses satire to showcase the absurdities and
1 dangers of nuclear warfare, revealing a cynical view of global politics and   
the military-industrial complex.
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah often takes heavy political topics and adds
2 a twist of humor to them, offering audiences a much-needed reprieve from   
the serious nature of the news.
The satire in the movie The Great Dictator by Charlie Chaplin aims to
3 expose the horrors of the Nazi regime, advocating for change and   
resistance.
The satirical novel Catch-22 by Joseph Heller uses humor and absurdity to
4 depict the horrors of war, providing comic relief while also highlighting the   
ridiculousness of bureaucratic systems.
The satirical TV show Last Week Tonight with John Oliver often uses humor
5 to shed light on serious, underreported issues, pushing audiences to   
become more informed and potentially take action.
The dystopian novel 1984 by George Orwell uses satire to portray a bleak,
6 totalitarian society, highlighting the dangers of unlimited governmental   
control.
The TV series House of Cards uses satire to exaggerate the corruption in
7   
the political system, expressing a cynical view of politics.
The political cartoons of The New Yorker often infuse current issues with wit
8 and humor, making complex topics more digestible and providing relief to   
readers.
The satirical play The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui by Bertolt Brecht uses a
9 Chicago mobster story to allegorically critique Hitler's rise to power, aiming   
to inspire action and awareness about the dangers of fascist tendencies.

[Turn to the next page for article analysis]

ARTICLE ANALYSIS
• Source: Edited with revisions from Chen, Hsuan-Ting & Gan, Chen & Sun, Ping. (2017). How Does Political
Satire Influence Political Participation? Examining the Role of Counter-and Proattitudinal Exposure, Anger,
and Personal Issue Importance. International Journal of Communication. 11. 3011-3029.
• Length of the Extract: 575 words
• Flesch Kincaid Grade Level: 16.7
• Genre: Media and Communication Studies, Social Sciences

Theme: The central theme of the passage revolves around the motivations and perspectives of satire creators,
with an exploration of three primary theories: relief, cynicism, and activism. The passage discusses how these
motivations not only influence the creation of satire but also its consumption and societal impact.

Tone: The text is expository because it seeks to explain complex concepts and theories to the reader. Expository
writing serves to explain, describe, give information, or inform, which is exactly what this passage is doing. It
outlines and explains three different theories - relief, cynicism, and activism - that represent the motivations and
perspectives of satirists. Each theory is described in detail, using referenced theories or philosophical ideas to
enhance the understanding of the reader..

Key Ideas:

• Paragraph One: The author introduces the shift in research focus from the content and impact of satire to the
motivations and perspectives of satirists. They identify three primary theories that have emerged in this
context: relief, cynicism, and activism.

• Paragraph Two: The author elaborates on the 'relief theory,' which suggests that satire is created and
consumed primarily to provide comic relief from daily life. The author references the philosophies of Bergson
and Bakhtin to highlight how satire offers societal elasticity, acts as a shock absorber, and provides
temporary suspension of societal laws and restrictions.

• Paragraph Three: The author delves into the 'cynicism perspective' which views satire as an outlet for
distrust and pessimism towards societal structures, particularly political systems. This style often culminates
in 'pseudo-satire,' a critique without substantive arguments or solutions. However, the author also mentions
Sloterdijk's 'kynicism' concept, asserting that it's possible to be critical yet hopeful for societal transformation.

• Paragraph Four: The author discusses the 'activism perspective,' arguing that satirists create satire out of a
desire to engage in public affairs and make political debates more digestible. The satirists, often fueled by
negative views towards their satirical targets, use satire as a tool for emancipation and subversion, aiming to
foster critical public discussions.

• Paragraph Five: The author concludes by highlighting that satirists typically balance a range of motivations,
their work wavering between traditional journalistic professionalism and attention-grabbing infotainment. This
hybrid style is influenced by socio-political climates and cultural contexts, which play a vital role in
understanding the satirist's intent and the broader meanings of contemporary satire.

Structure:
The passage starts with an introduction to the shift in scholarly research on satire, identifying three primary
theories. It then sequentially delves into each of these theories: relief, cynicism, and activism. Each theory is
examined with philosophical references and theoretical examples. The passage concludes by underlining that
satirists balance a variety of motivations and influences, and the importance of understanding these nuances to
fully comprehend the purpose and meaning of contemporary satire.