Poetic Terms Dictionary
Technique

Parody

From Greek parodia: a song sung alongside. Distinct from burlesque (treating a subject with incongruous style). Parody requires recognisable resemblance to its target.

Definition

A comic imitation of a specific work, author, or genre that exaggerates its stylistic features for humour or critique.

Example

Lewis Carroll parodies Southey's 'Father William' and Wordsworth in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

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