Symbolism In Satirical Texts

Satirical texts use symbolism in order to achieve their purpose and successfully relate their message to their target audience. The show ‘CNNNN’ by The Chasers effectively mocks and creates a parody of contemporary American news shows through the combination of both visual and auditory techniques. Gina Riley’s and Jane Turner’s TV show ‘Kath and Kim’ satirically presents how society acts in certain situations and has a need to keep up with current trends. Ultimately, it is the use of symbolism in each text that allows its satirical content to resonate with the audient and achieve its desired effect.

Satire, by definition is the use of irony, sarcasm or ridicule to exploit issues. Satire often positions the responder to ironically laugh at themselves

and the most powerful satires make us aware of this irony in order to promote change and transformation. Symbolism is an artistic and poetic movement or style using symbolic images and indirect suggestion to express mystical ideas, emotions, and states of mind. By reading and analysing satire, the reader is able to apply context to the issue being talked about. This then opens the eyes of the responder and they are able to understand the deeper meaning that the author is trying to represent.
Symbols are important in the conveyance of messages within a text.

In the episode ‘Cadman for PM’ by CNNNN, tone is used to expose the vices and folly of society. A military tone is used to portray urgency and install trust into the message being spoken. The following scene highlights that the meaning behind those words was not necessarily important, as it was the tone that it was said in that gained the reliance of society. Irony is used in the quote “Vote with your remote” as CNNNN mocks the politicians and people find that funny so they watch it. This mirrors society, as people often do not take politics seriously and watch the news to mock current politicians and what they are doing. However, by tuning in they are metaphorically and ironically voting for the person that they do not like because they are the ones who have the most views.

The combination of both visual and auditory techniques within CNNN creates the sense of legitimacy and authenticity. In the episode ‘Lunchgate’, CNNNN uses long shots and medium shots to show two news reporters at a desk with a green screen showing an overview of the city behind them. This creates a sense of trust as the symbols of people at a table are familiar to society and portrays the parody as authentic. The non-diegetic heartbeat in the background of the segment brings across the feeling of tension and excitement, establishing realism. The symbolic meaning of the

heartbeat
In comparison to CNNNN, Kath and Kim also bring to light society’s vices and folly through symbolism and hyperboles. Kath and Kim’s satirical purpose is to highlight society’s meaningless obsession with trends and keeping up with appearances. In ‘The Wedding Scene’ behaviours are hyperbolised in order for the audience to mock and then interpret and understand that in fact we all possess these qualities. For the first dance, Kath and her partner decide to go against the traditional waltz and do Irish dancing instead. To the audience this is funny, but what is being reflected is that we all try to upstage each other and outdo current trends. It is through this farcical scene in the episode that the truth of our obsession with trend following and status is reflected.
Classism and social status are highly satirised through humour.

In Kath and Kim, the comment that the show is making about social status is done so in a funny and humorous way. The wedding scene is making multiple social comments about ‘bogans’. In the scene, nothing goes as planned and there are stuff ups everywhere; from the farcical scene of a late bride to the drunken antics of the groom; everything is hyperbolised for effect. Kath and Kim also try to be ‘classy’ by having their wedding in their own home, making it seem like their house is sophisticated enough for a wedding. The show's ridicule of the middle class 'bogan' image is achieved not only through farce but also in the way that its characters' attempts to be 'classy' and 'snobby' only result in them becoming more bogan - making the characters themselves more ironic. Both CNNNN and Kath and Kim employ symbols in a hyperbolised way to create effect and

meaning.
In conclusion, both the satirical texts CNNNN and Kath and Kim use symbolism to depict the meaning of the issues being talked about. CNNNN uses visual and auditory techniques to effectively mock and hyperbolise a contemporary American news program. Gina Riley’s and Jane Turner’s TV show ‘Kath and Kim’ expose the vices and folly of society through the use of hyperboles and irony. Both texts allow the audience to interact with the issues presented and develop their own meaning from what is being said.