CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
There is no generally accepted definition of satire. On the whole however, in terms of its semantic implication, there is no generally accepted and all embracing definition of “Satire.” Each author and critic interprets it in a way that is most comfortable for them. The term "satire" is Latin in origin and was formerly known as "satira." Later, it changed to "Satura," which means "medley" or "mixing." It denotes a certain literary genre on the one hand and, on the other, a satirical or tone that is evidently expressed in many different literary genres. According to Abraham,
Satire is defined as the literary technique of demeaning a subject by rendering it absurd and creating an attitude of laughter, contempt, anger, or scorn against it. It varies from comedy in that satire derides, that is, it utilizes laughter as a weapon and against a butt that exists outside the work itself, whereas humor elicits laughter primarily as an aim in itself (167).
A satire, according to Moody, is "any type or piece of writing that is intentionally and playfully critical in intent" (208). Satire is a form of art that mocks characteristics of human behavior and aims to incite disgust in the audience for its target. The vices, crimes, and absurdities of men and individuals, of class and institutions of societies and civilizations are mocked or held up to scorn in satire. Since different authors continue to define it in ways that serve their purposes, the definitions of "Satire" above are by no means exhaustive. Vaughn for example defines satire by saying: In general a mode of writing that utilizes wit and humour to criticize or ridicule human institutions and behaviour with a view to correction or improvement (174). Bamidele defines satire as a dramatic form in which human vices and follies, abuses or shortcomings are held up to censure by means of ridicule with intent to bringing about improvement, (41). According to Abraham, the phrase refers to the literary technique of demeaning a subject by invoking mockery; an attitude of pleasure, contempt, and wrath of derision. It varies from comedy in that satire derides, that is, it utilizes laughter as a weapon and against a butt that exists outside the work itself, whereas comedy elicits laughter primarily as a means to a goal in itself (162). In many ancient societies where the art flourished, satirical usages were considered to be an integral element of folk culture. This was especially the case in Greek culture, where it was said that sarcastic usages were explicitly placed in Grecian fertility rites.
Literary history also indicates that it was in Greece (7th century B.C.) that satire recorded its first victim. The satirist at times evokes and takes part in laughter, that is, the laughter being simultaneously a joy and a weapon against evil. Obuh says that a typical satirist is a proud, fiery, intolerant and irascible personality, and the degree of indignation he displays in respect of societal ills and the vulgarity of many vary with man and the satiric convention of his time. All said, the satirist exposes vice and folly both in man as well as in society as a whole. In doing so, he can effectively use a number of literary and rhetoric devices, which range from dramatic incidents, beast fables, sarcasm, irony, mockery or anything that would make the object of attack disgusting, distasteful or ridiculous. For some people, satire has some therapeutic qualities. According to Obuh,
“Satire as a literary form is a form of social art. In order to purify society, it is concerned with combating its ills. Because the ancient Greeks used satire to mock unwholesome human inclinations, the use of satire as an artistic tool is a long-standing practice. It was also used throughout the Roman Empire by writers like Vigil, Horace, Juvenal, and others to satirically condemn the emperor's excesses. Folktale songs, proverbs, and verbal art are used in traditional communities to comment on and mock human shortcomings as well as to criticize pervasive social vices (8).
Satirical language is a literary tool through which literary artists expose and condemn the vices in the society aimed at correction and engendering positive changes, for a better society and development.
According to Adeoti and Elegbeleye, satire is a valid way for satirists to vent their discomfort when they confront deviations from the norm and a coping mechanism (310). The sociopolitical issues in Nigeria are addressed in contemporary Nigerian literature by authors like Wale Okediran, Joseph Edoki, Bamdele Thomas, and Chimamanda Adichie, among others.
They put up proposals meant to propose remedies for the issues in order to encourage the nation's growth and development. This explains why literature and literary artists are relevant to every civilization. Olaniyan observes that the use of satire as a tool in art has existed for a very long time. It was used by the ancient Greeks to mock unhealthy institutional and moral trends in their society. In the old Roman Empire, authors like Vigil, Horace, Juvenal, and others used it as a vehicle for criticism of their Emperor's excesses. Folklore, songs, proverbs, and verbal arts are other ways that people in traditional African civilizations comment on and mock perceived human shortcomings and decry prevailing social vices (1).
Satire, the art of laughter with knives is certainly a potent weapon for societal change as it mocks, attacks, criticizes ridicules and exposes the follies and anomalies existing in human societies in order to sanitize them. It is a fashionable tool used by playwrights, critics and various individuals in reforming societies which are engulfed in political, social, religious and moral decadence.
For a very long time, creative writers have employed this kind of expression. Even in ancient cultures, people frequently utilized proverbs and folktales to mock and criticize the unwholesome attitudes of individual people as well as society at large. Olaniyan argues that satire magnifies one or more of our sores for critical inspection and focuses its lens on our feelings as a community of people using a surgical tool, such sharp weapon as scorn, derision, ridicule, laughter, and bitter irony, in an effort to demonstrate the significance and effectiveness of satire as a tool for reforming the society (48).
Bamidele also opines that: A man’s shortcoming when paraded in dramatic work is most clearly laughable, if he pretends to have excellence while in fact, he has only the corresponding defect, then he is laughable according to his own admitted standard. These two statements clearly show what satire is out to achieve; to criticize societal ills in a way that elicit laughter. It is a potent tool in the hands of creative writers to reform and sanitize societies, (45).
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The founding fathers of the Nigerian art scene and other renowned artists have used satirical cartoons and other art forms to advance their positions on colonialism and other matters of national interest, just like in other nations where the satirical genre of art has moved the people to action on state matters. Satire, or "the art of laughter with blades," is undoubtedly a social art since satirists target, mock, and ridicule societal faults and male behavior in an effort to purify society. Artists have traditionally employed this medium for their work. Even in traditional societies, people often use proverbs and folktales, to ridicule and attack unwholesome attitudes of men and society as a whole. Importantly, this study will look into the satirical usage in Survival Strategy.
1.3 Aims of the Study
The main aim of this study is to examine the satire as a weapon for societal change using the Survival Strategy as a study while the specific aims are;
i. Determine the themes adopted in using satire for social change in Survival Strategy Examine the use of characters in Survival Strategy to establish satire for societal change.
ii. Examine the use of language in Survival Strategy to establish satire for societal change.
1.4 Significance of the Study
The study is purposed to benefit social critics and students’ researchers especially those in Theatre Arts Department. The finding of this study will help in giving more weight into the pattern of anti social behaviors in the society. This study will also contribute immensely towards understanding of the circumstances surrounding social evil as well as finding resolution to reduce the prevalence of social evil through satire.
Researchers will gain insight because the study will add to academic knowledge by the aims of the study towards criticism of social behaviors, in order to enable the society to know the exact area to focus attention upon in its fight against crime other decadency in the society.
1.5 Scope of the Study
This study seeks to cover the use of satire as a weapon for social change in Nigeria. The play, Survival Strategy by Elo Igbagare will be use for the analysis.
1.6 Rationale for the Study
The necessity for this research topic is as a result of the fact that a number of people have limited knowledge on how critics use satire to change social evil for good. A good number of readers of literal works fail to digest social critics with the use of satire. This research will enlighten researchers and also contribute to knowledge.
1.7 Research Methodology
The best research will determine by what the researcher intends to measure. The research will adopt the use of literary method and content analysis. Ukala says that the literacy method focus on written and printed library and archival sources, especially books, journals, theses, reports, literary works such as plays, novels and poems (8). Also, Ukala says content analysis is a method for minutely examining content in order to count its specific aspects. It includes play, newspaper, magazine, broadcast, video (10). The reason for the usage of these research methods will be base on the scope of the study which discussed satire as a weapon for societal change.
