Parody

Definition

Parody is a form of satire that imitates the style and content of a particular work or genre in a humorous or exaggerated manner. It serves to mock or comment on the original work, often highlighting its flaws or absurdities, and is a prominent characteristic of postmodern literature, which embraces playfulness and intertextuality. This technique can reveal deeper societal critiques by juxtaposing the familiar with the absurd.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Parody often blurs the lines between original and imitation, making readers question what constitutes authenticity in literature.
2. In postmodern literature, parody can serve as a means to deconstruct traditional narratives and genres, encouraging readers to think critically about the text.
3. The use of parody in postmodern works often involves playful language and style, contributing to a sense of irony and self-awareness within the text.
4. Parody can provide commentary on societal issues by exaggerating aspects of culture, revealing the absurdity in everyday life.
5. Authors like Thomas Pynchon and Don DeLillo frequently employ parody to critique consumerism and mass media in their works.

Review Questions

• How does parody function as a tool for critiquing original works in postmodern literature?
  • Parody functions as a tool for critiquing original works by imitating their style and structure while highlighting their flaws and absurdities. This technique not only entertains but also encourages readers to reflect on the conventions of the original work, inviting them to question its values. In postmodern literature, parody often subverts expectations, allowing authors to make deeper commentary on societal norms and cultural practices.
• Discuss the role of intertextuality in relation to parody within postmodern literature.
  • Intertextuality plays a crucial role in parody as it establishes connections between different texts and cultural references. By drawing from established works or genres, authors create layers of meaning that enrich the parody. This interplay allows readers to recognize the original context while engaging with the new interpretation presented through parody. As a result, intertextuality enhances the critical lens through which readers view both the parody and its source material.
• Evaluate how parody reflects the characteristics of postmodern literature in its approach to traditional narrative forms.
  • Parody reflects the characteristics of postmodern literature by challenging and subverting traditional narrative forms through humor and exaggeration. It disrupts linear storytelling by mixing genres and styles, creating a fragmented narrative that mirrors the complexity of contemporary life. By employing parody, authors express skepticism towards established norms, emphasizing playfulness while questioning concepts like originality and authority in literature. This evaluation highlights how parody not only entertains but also invites critical reflection on cultural texts.

Related terms

satire:

A literary genre that uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize and expose the vices and follies of individuals, institutions, or society as a whole.

intertextuality:

The relationship between texts, where one text references or is influenced by another, creating layers of meaning and connections within literature.

camp: Aesthetic sensibility characterized by exaggerated elements, humor, and an appreciation for the artificial and over-the-top, often used in parody to challenge traditional tastes.