Parody
Literary term · say it PAIR-uh-dee
Parody is a comic imitation of a particular work, writer’s style, or type of literature. It makes familiar features look funny by exaggerating them or placing them in an unexpected setting, sometimes with affection and sometimes with criticism.
Where parody shows up
Parody of a type of story
A parody can turn the familiar heroes, adventures, and habits of a whole type of story into comedy.
In Don Quixote, Don Quixote mistakes windmills for giants and charges at them. His disastrous attack turns the grand battles of knightly romances into something ridiculous.
In Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
Parody of a particular poem
A parody can echo a recognizable poem while replacing its subject or lesson with something comic.
In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Alice tries to recite Isaac Watts’s poem about a hardworking bee, but instead recites a poem about a crocodile attracting fish into its jaws. The cheerful predator takes the place of the poem’s example of good conduct.
In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
How to spot parody
- Look for echoes of a familiar work, style, or type of story.
- Notice which familiar features become exaggerated or absurd.
- Ask what the comic contrast reveals about the original.
What is the difference between parody and satire?
Parody imitates a recognizable work or style for comic effect, while satire uses humor to expose faults in people, institutions, or society. They can overlap: a parody of a heroic adventure might also satirize a society’s ideas about courage.
Does parody always make fun of the original?
Parody does not always attack or reject the original. It can show affection for a familiar story while enjoying its odd habits or unlikely events. The key is a recognizable comic imitation, not necessarily a harsh judgment.
Related terms
Books where you can see Parody
200,000+ classics to read and hear, and printed books, large print included, at cost.
Try 3 months free
