What Is Right and What Is Wrong in Politics?: Objects of Satire in Julian Barnes's The Porcupine

Abstract

The Porcupine appears as a remarkable piece of political satire, which follows some of the most traditional satiric conventions but also subverts some others. In the novel, Barnes does not only focus his criticism on the mischievous character but also on the supposedly righteous character, something very innovative with respect to more traditional satirical writings. This article will be based on the analysis of this dichotomy but, more specifically, on the factors that are denounced and satirised in the novel and the strategies that Barnes draws on to construct his satire. The number of targets that Barnes criticises in the novel is wide-ranging but I just concentrate on those which play a more significant role, that is, the evils of totalitarian regimes, the hypocrisy of Western political leaders and the stupidity in the figure of the dictator. This paper also makes reference to the function of secondary characters, which decisively contribute to the creation of an accomplished satirical effect.