That was what he wanted to tell his audience at Cambridge. He divided classical satirists into two classes-fierce men starving in garrets, and renouncing popularity and circulation to dwell in tubs, and calm good-livers "who tell amusingly the kind of truth that no one has ever denied." But for the present century the right spirit, he believed, was self-satire, the ability to see humor in the constant small defeats of life, and "the power to be startled by nothing, however extravagant." The subject, in the end, turned out to be more relevant than it had seemed, as anyone could have told who had heard Eddie and Wilfred laughing together.
The speaker aimed to convey a message to his audience at Cambridge about the nature of satire. He categorized classical satirists into two groups: those who lived in poverty, forsaking popularity, and those who enjoyed a comfortable life while humorously discussing universally accepted truths. He believed that in the contemporary era, the essence of satire should focus on self-reflection and the recognition of humor in life’s everyday challenges.
This perspective resonated strongly, especially as evident in the laughter shared by Eddie and Wilfred. The ability to remain unfazed by life's absurdities and to find humor in minor setbacks seemed vital to the author's understanding of modern satire. Ultimately, the discussion highlighted the relevance of self-satire, reflecting a deeper connection with his audience than initially anticipated.
