This advanced English lesson challenges students to find multiple layers of meaning in music, comedy and social commentary. Listen to Nellie McKay: "Mother of Pearl"on TED talks for the main idea: the perception of feminism in American society. Clearly, McKay supports feminism through her sense of humor and sarcasm. This English lesson explores the more advanced topic of tone, sarcasm, multiple voices, interjections and slang.
Listen for the tone, sarcasm and different pro-feminist and anti-feminist voices.
0:24 ♫ Feminists don't have a sense of humor. ♫
0:31 ♫ Feminists just want to be alone -- boo hoo, hoo, hoo. ♫
0:38 ♫ Feminists spread vicious lies and rumors. ♫
0:43 ♫ They have a tumor on their funny bone. ♫
0:50 ♫ They say child molestation isn't funny -- ha, ha, ha, ha. ♫
0:58 ♫ Rape and degradation's just a crime -- lighten up, ladies. ♫
1:05 ♫ Rampant prostitution's sex for money -- what’s wrong with that? ♫
1:11 ♫ Can't these chicks do anything but whine? ♫
1:17 ♫ Dance break! Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da. ♫
1:26 ♫ Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da. ♫
1:28 ♫ Woo-hoo! ♫
1:30 ♫ Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da -- ♫
1:34 ♫ yeah, take it off. ♫
1:37 ♫ Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, dum. ♫
1:43 ♫ They say cheap objectification isn’t witty -- it’s hot! ♫
1:51 ♫ Equal work and wages worth the fight -- ♫
1:56 ♫ sing us a new one. ♫
1:58 ♫ On-demand abortion every city -- OK, but no gun control. ♫
2:05 ♫ Won’t these women ever get a life? ♫
2:11 ♫ Feminists don’t have a sense of humor -- poor Hillary. ♫
2:19 ♫ Feminists and vegetarians -- make mine a Big Mac. ♫
2:26 ♫ Feminists spread vicious lies and rumors. ♫
2:31 ♫ They're far too sensitive to ever be a ham, ♫
2:38 ♫ that's why these feminists just need to find a man. ♫
2:43 ♫ Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da. ♫
2:49 I’m Dennis Kucinich and I approved this message. Thank you. (Applause) Thank you. (Applause) Thank you.
3:08 I asked my mother, you know, should I say anything in support of anyone? And she said, "Oh no! Just dis everybody, except Ralph Nader."
3:18 (Laughter)
Here are some examples of sarcasm:
1. They are always serious, never funny.
2. Don't be serious.
3. They are anti-social.
4. They gossip.
5. looking and talking about people like they are objects
6. Can women do anything besides complain?
7. Say something we have not already heard before.
8. Focus on yourself instead of me.
9. Insult everyone
Answers:
1. They have a tumor on their funny bone
2. lighten up
3. Feminists just want to be alone
4. Feminists spread vicious lies and rumors
5. objectification
6. Can't these chicks do anything but whine?
7. Sing us a new one
8. Get a life
9. Dis everybody
Finally, discuss the power of humor and sarcasm to discuss more serious topics. What can we achieve through comedy and music?
Listen for the tone, sarcasm and different pro-feminist and anti-feminist voices.
0:24 ♫ Feminists don't have a sense of humor. ♫
0:31 ♫ Feminists just want to be alone -- boo hoo, hoo, hoo. ♫
0:38 ♫ Feminists spread vicious lies and rumors. ♫
0:43 ♫ They have a tumor on their funny bone. ♫
0:50 ♫ They say child molestation isn't funny -- ha, ha, ha, ha. ♫
0:58 ♫ Rape and degradation's just a crime -- lighten up, ladies. ♫
1:05 ♫ Rampant prostitution's sex for money -- what’s wrong with that? ♫
1:11 ♫ Can't these chicks do anything but whine? ♫
1:17 ♫ Dance break! Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da. ♫
1:26 ♫ Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da. ♫
1:28 ♫ Woo-hoo! ♫
1:30 ♫ Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da -- ♫
1:34 ♫ yeah, take it off. ♫
1:37 ♫ Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, dum. ♫
1:43 ♫ They say cheap objectification isn’t witty -- it’s hot! ♫
1:51 ♫ Equal work and wages worth the fight -- ♫
1:56 ♫ sing us a new one. ♫
1:58 ♫ On-demand abortion every city -- OK, but no gun control. ♫
2:05 ♫ Won’t these women ever get a life? ♫
2:11 ♫ Feminists don’t have a sense of humor -- poor Hillary. ♫
2:19 ♫ Feminists and vegetarians -- make mine a Big Mac. ♫
2:26 ♫ Feminists spread vicious lies and rumors. ♫
2:31 ♫ They're far too sensitive to ever be a ham, ♫
2:38 ♫ that's why these feminists just need to find a man. ♫
2:43 ♫ Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da. ♫
2:49 I’m Dennis Kucinich and I approved this message. Thank you. (Applause) Thank you. (Applause) Thank you.
3:08 I asked my mother, you know, should I say anything in support of anyone? And she said, "Oh no! Just dis everybody, except Ralph Nader."
3:18 (Laughter)
Here are some examples of sarcasm:
- boo hoo, hoo, hoo
- isn't funny
- just a crime
- ha, ha, ha, ha
- lighten up, ladies
- what’s wrong with that?
- yeah, take it off
- isn't witty -- it’s hot!
- poor Hillary
- make mine a Big Mac
- child molestation
- rape
- degradation
- prostitution
- equal work and wages
1. They are always serious, never funny.
2. Don't be serious.
3. They are anti-social.
4. They gossip.
5. looking and talking about people like they are objects
6. Can women do anything besides complain?
7. Say something we have not already heard before.
8. Focus on yourself instead of me.
9. Insult everyone
Answers:
1. They have a tumor on their funny bone
2. lighten up
3. Feminists just want to be alone
4. Feminists spread vicious lies and rumors
5. objectification
6. Can't these chicks do anything but whine?
7. Sing us a new one
8. Get a life
9. Dis everybody
Finally, discuss the power of humor and sarcasm to discuss more serious topics. What can we achieve through comedy and music?