PJ+O'Rourke

Contemporary Writers and Humorists  **Writers of today have an audience that is very easily bored. To keep the attention of these on-the-go, technologically advanced readers, who really don't want to waste their time reading something boring, they add humor to their writing. It doesn't matter what genre of writing it is. Whether it's a book for "young adults" or an article about politics, there's always something funny underlining the piece. PJ O'Rourke, a prominent political satirist, has written many New York Times bestsellers and countless articles in various publications. His article entitled __Fairness, idealism and other atrocities__ showcases the humor--a tad bit more obviously than most-- of American contemporary literature.**

** Fairness, idealism and other atrocities ** Commencement advice you're unlikely to hear elsewhere   by PJ O'Rourke May 4, 2008  I'm not going to "pass the wisdom of one generation down to the next." **I'm a member of the 1960s generation. We didn't have any wisdom.**   My generation spoiled everything for you. It has always been the special prerogative of young people to look and act weird and shock grown-ups. But my generation exhausted the Earth's resources of the weird. __Weird clothes -- we wore them. Weird beards -- we grew them. Weird words and phrases -- we said them.__ So, when it came your turn to be original and look and act weird, all you had left was to tattoo your faces and pierce your tongues. Ouch. That must have hurt. I apologize. T o read the full article, go to: [|Fairness, idealism and other atrocities]
 * __Excerpt from the article__: **

__Analysis:__ * The title begins the satirical nature of the article by calling fairness and idealism atrocities. Most people would think the opposite, so this humorous title would draw a reader's attention.  *O'Rourke's sarcasm in this article is very obvious, as seen by the quote in purple.


 * He uses repetition- the underlined section of the article- to add to his sarcasm and point out that they were indeed weird.

*This article is relevant to the author's audience, the American public, because it gives some relief when students are graduating and setting off on their new lives. *This article is particularly relevant to our age group because it's his advice on what to do after graduation. Instead of giving the usual "practical" advice, he writes: "Go out and make a bunch of money!" and "Make your contribution by getting rich. Don't be an idealist."
 * The article's humor plays on cultural references. Cultural references are a big part of American literature because they are the things that everyone can relate to and understand. It's like one big inside joke for the whole country, and because of the internet, the world.


 * Humor is an important element of literature because it keeps it interesting and makes it fun.

Images are from Google Images. Article is from the Los Angeles Times website.