1. In your own words, write the message of the satire. Be sure to include who or what the satire is criticizing (what is “bad”). This satire is criticizing federal immigration policies – they’re not effectively keeping illegal immigrants from crossing the border. These bad policies cause more trouble/work for state police in border communities. 2. What change does this satire seem to suggest is necessary? (What is the cartoonist “selling” here? What is the purpose?) This satire seems to be suggesting that better federal immigration policies are necessary to fight the problems associated with illegal immigration. 3. What type of satire is this (Horatian/Juvenalian)? Which of the four techniques of satire is seen here? What satirical devices are used in this satire? Horatian satire; Reversal (the authority figure here is the one screwing up, not the illegal immigrant) and exaggeration are used (REALLY fat, lazy official sleeping at the border); The devices of invective (“inept, lazy, irresponsible”), sarcasm (comment from AZ police), and irony (border patrol guy sleeping on the job) are used. 4. Is the satirist right to attack his target? Is the ridicule/mocking justified? (That is, do you personally agree with the position of the author? See question #1) This is where you get to state your own opinion about Immigration laws – just support your answer with reasons and details! 5. Who is the intended audience of this cartoon – the person/group the author wants to change? Do you think the satire will be successful in bringing about that change? Why or why not? (Look at the success of the devices chosen, or the appropriateness of the tone, or the clarity of the message). The federal government is the target of this cartoon; the government is the only group capable of changing the laws. A secondary target may be voters. The satire would be more successful if the message were more clear – some people may think border patrol officers, not the ineffective laws, are the problem. The sarcasm is too mild, as are the illustrations. 1. In your own words, write the message of the satire. Be sure to include who or what the satire is criticizing (what is “bad”). The Republican Party would rather keep tax cuts for the wealthy and get rid of benefits for the jobless, even though taxing the wealthy would help us get out of debt faster than cutting jobless benefits. The Republicans are being portrayed as ignorant hicks who hate poor people/protect the rich at the expense of the poor. 2. What change does this satire seem to suggest is necessary? (What opinion is the cartoonist “selling” here? What is the purpose?) The cartoonist is suggesting that the government should keep jobless benefits and tax the wealthy to get the country out of debt. 3. What type of satire is this (Horatian/Juvenalian)? Which of the four techniques of satire is seen here? What satirical devices are used in this satire? Horatian; Exaggeration is used (caricature of Republican “hick”); Irony (GOP will “sink their own ship” if they don’t get rid of the tax cuts), knaves/fools (portraying GOP as foolish for not seeing obvious solution) 4. Is the satirist right to attack his target? Is the ridicule/mocking justified? (That is, do you personally agree with the position of the author?) The federal deficit(debt) is everybody’s concern; it’s not an “off limits” topic. The wealthy need to pay more taxes because they can better afford to contribute to the national debt than poor people can. OR ...The Democrats, NOT the Republicans, are really to blame for the national debt because they won’t quit spending money on benefits for people who are not working and contributing to the federal budget. OR...Actually, there could be a compromise: get rid of SOME tax cuts and SOME jobless benefits. It’s not an either/or solution. 5. Who is the intended audience of this cartoon – the person/group the author wants to change? Do you think the satire will be successful in bringing about that change? Why or why not? (Look at the success of the devices chosen, or the appropriateness of the tone, or the clarity of the message). The Republican Party is the target of the satire; the caricature of the foolish hick Republican may be too offensive to bring about change in the GOP, but it may convince voters NOT to vote republican in the next election.