Parody Literature

Parody Literature is the imitation of a certain novel, novella, poem or play. The author can mimic the style, genre, plot or characters of an already existing literature work. As we can understand from the word parody, it is usually done for comedic purposes.

Parodies can take a full-on drama and turn it into a laughing matter which seems fun, sounds fun but extremely hard to succeed. If not done properly it can be cheesy, absurd, and very tasteless. However, if done properly it can be enjoyable for the reader. It is interesting to see one plot from an entirely different angle. It also gives the reader a scavenger hunt feeling because reading the original work first then the parody is like puzzle solving. Trying to find the intertextuality between the works, comparing and contrasting them, and seeing the character changes of the already beloved characters makes the reading experience not only better but also more purposeful. This genre didn't only contribute to the literature. It has also given the audience many beloved motion pictures. Some of the examples of parodies are; Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë and Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys, Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov and Granita by Umberto Eco, Pride, and Prejudice by Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith, Star Trek by Gene Roddenberry and Star Wreck by Leah Rewolinski. Lastly, the examples, of course, don't only limit to the English literature. Our own literature also includes some examples; one of many is the reknown novel by Reşat Nuri Güntekin's Çalıkuşu and Hayal ve Istırapby Selim İleri.

Preview Picture: Parody books. Ottawa Public Library. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2022, from https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/list/share/69128694/1529996649