Which device uses humor to critique social issues?

• A. Parody
• B. Irony
• C. Allusion
• D. Satire

Answer: (D)

Satire uses humor as a vehicle to comment on society, exposing flaws, hypocrisy, and injustices in politics, culture, or everyday life. By exaggerating, ridiculing, and twisting real situations, it makes readers pause and think about why certain problems exist and how they might be fixed. The joke or mockery isn’t the end in itself—it’s a means to reveal social issues and encourage change.

Parody, while humorous, imitates a specific work or style to poke fun, and allusion relies on a reference to something else; neither is primarily aimed at critiquing society as a whole. Irony can be funny and carry a critique, but satire is the form that intentionally targets social issues with the goal of critique and reform.