--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think satire is a luxury of literate…" description: "\"I think satire is a luxury of literate middle-class people. People who are well fed and relatively secure in their beds can laugh at their troubles. Th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3a/harold-ramis-4057_bed_i-think-satire-is-a-luxury-of-literate-m_1493277.jpg" --- # I think satire is a luxury of literate middle-class… ![“I think satire is a luxury of literate middle-class people. People who are well fed and relatively secure in their beds can laugh at their troubles. They can enjoy sitcoms. For those who aren't quite so lucky, well, the irony might be lost on them.” quote by Harold Ramis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3a/harold-ramis-4057_bed_i-think-satire-is-a-luxury-of-literate-m_1493277.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3a/harold-ramis-4057_bed_i-think-satire-is-a-luxury-of-literate-m_1493277.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3a/harold-ramis-4057_bed_i-think-satire-is-a-luxury-of-literate-m_1493277.jpg) > “I think satire is a luxury of literate middle-class people. People who are well fed and relatively secure in their beds can laugh at their troubles. They can enjoy sitcoms. For those who aren't quite so lucky, well, the irony might be lost on them.” [Harold Ramis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-ramis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Satire thrives where basic needs are met; those in comfort can critique society, while the oppressed may miss the humor. **In simple terms:** Satire works for the comfortable, not the oppressed. Key Takeaway Recognize privilege in humor. Themes class satire comfort privilege Mood reflective critical Type observational social When to use this quote - media analysis - social policy - education - mental health - community outreach Key Concepts social critique humor cultural commentary Questions to Reflect On - How does comfort shape our sense of humor? - Can satire ever be inclusive? A Different Perspective Satire can alienate those suffering, reducing empathy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bed/) [Class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/class/) [Enjoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enjoy/) [Enjoy Sitcoms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enjoy-sitcoms-2107442/) [Feds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feds/) [Irony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/irony/) [Laughing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laughing/) [Lost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lost/) [Lucky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lucky/) [Luxury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/luxury/) [Middle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/middle/) [Middle class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/middle-class/) [Might](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/might/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Satire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/satire/) [Satire Luxury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/satire-luxury-5459851/) [Secure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/secure/) [Sitcom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sitcom/) [Sitcoms Aren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sitcoms-aren-5459852/) [So lucky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/so-lucky/) [Think Satire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-satire-689193/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Trouble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trouble/) [Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wells/) ## Related quotes > [I thoroughly enjoy sitcoms - the schedule that comes with them and the camaraderie you feel with a certain group of people when you've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-osment/i-thoroughly-enjoy-sitcoms-the-schedule-that-comes-with-them-and-the/) [Emily Osment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-osment/) > [The audiences like to think that satire is doing something. But, in fact, it is mostly to leave themselves satisfied. Satisfied rather than angry,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-lehrer/the-audiences-like-to-think-that-satire-is-doing-something-but-in/) [Tom Lehrer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-lehrer/) > [The most successful satirist is that one who shakes up and disturbs someones subconscious so as to make him think about something; otherwise his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-most-successful-satirist-is-that-one-who-shakes-up-and-disturbs/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think satire is most effective when you love the thing you're satirizing rather than... have a vendetta against it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-yaconelli/i-think-satire-is-most-effective-when-you-love-the-thing-you-re/) [Mike Yaconelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-yaconelli/) > [The most successful satirist is that one who disturbs someones subconscious so as to make him think about something; otherwise his satire is akin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/the-most-successful-satirist-is-that-one-who-disturbs-someones/) [Mak\_786](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mak-786/) > [No complaining about how hard it is to write, we are all so, so lucky to write, to sit down, inside, and write words…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabel-allende/no-complaining-about-how-hard-it-is-to-write-we-are-all-so-so-lucky/) [Isabel Allende](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabel-allende/) > [There are a lot of us little gypsies out there that need to go and find another place you know. A safer, healthier or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-barrymore/there-are-a-lot-of-us-little-gypsies-out-there-that-need-to-go-and/) [Drew Barrymore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-barrymore/) > [A friend of mine said to me a year ago, "You're so lucky, Nancy, because Ronnie left you the library," She said, "You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-reagan/a-friend-of-mine-said-to-me-a-year-ago-you-re-so-lucky-nancy-because/) [Nancy Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-reagan/) > [Everybody comes up with this term lucky-"Oh, she's so lucky." Even though I was lucky, I had a lot of struggle before that. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freida-pinto/everybody-comes-up-with-this-term-lucky-oh-she-s-so-lucky-even-though/) [Freida Pinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freida-pinto/) > [I have been acting for 32 years now and I feel so lucky to be able to have done exactly what I wanted to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-burton/i-have-been-acting-for-32-years-now-and-i-feel-so-lucky-to-be-able-to/) [Amanda Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-burton/) > [Who could be so lucky? Who comes to a lake for water and sees the reflection of moon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/who-could-be-so-lucky-who-comes-to-a-lake-for-water-and-sees-the/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [I'm so lucky to be in a situation that I can always have my daughter with me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/izabella-scorupco/i-m-so-lucky-to-be-in-a-situation-that-i-can-always-have-my-daughter/) [Izabella Scorupco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/izabella-scorupco/) > [I was so lucky to be working with amazing actors like Shia and Evan and James Buckley and Mads Mikkelsen and Rupert Grint and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fredrik-bond/i-was-so-lucky-to-be-working-with-amazing-actors-like-shia-and-evan/) [Fredrik Bond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fredrik-bond/) > [I have been luckier than the law of averages should allow. I could never be so lucky again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-doolittle/i-have-been-luckier-than-the-law-of-averages-should-allow-i-could/) [Jimmy Doolittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-doolittle/) > [Sigourney Weaver is a wonderful person. I was so lucky to have the opportunity to meet and work with such an amazing actress. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-henn/sigourney-weaver-is-a-wonderful-person-i-was-so-lucky-to-have-the/) [Carrie Henn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-henn/) ## More by Harold Ramis > [Somebody once told me that if you laugh at a George Bush joke, or you send an email cartoon to your friends that makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-ramis/somebody-once-told-me-that-if-you-laugh-at-a-george-bush-joke-or-you/) [Harold Ramis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-ramis/) > [I've always thought that comedy was just another dramatic expression. I try to measure the amount of truth in a work rather than just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-ramis/i-ve-always-thought-that-comedy-was-just-another-dramatic-expression/) [Harold Ramis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-ramis/) > [You can perceive life as tragic, or you can laugh at the tragedy of it and that turns it into comedy. It doesn't change…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-ramis/you-can-perceive-life-as-tragic-or-you-can-laugh-at-the-tragedy-of-it/) [Harold Ramis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-ramis/) > [I'm terrified beyond the capacity for rational thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-ramis/i-m-terrified-beyond-the-capacity-for-rational-thought/) [Harold Ramis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-ramis/) > [You can't not have feelings about country clubs, whichever side you're on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-ramis/you-can-t-not-have-feelings-about-country-clubs-whichever-side-you-re/) [Harold Ramis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-ramis/) > [That's one of the great things about DVD: In addition to reaching people who didn't catch the movie in theaters, you get to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-ramis/that-s-one-of-the-great-things-about-dvd-in-addition-to-reaching/) [Harold Ramis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-ramis/) > [It doesn't take any longer to improvise 10 takes than it takes to shoot 10 takes of the same thing. It turns out to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-ramis/it-doesn-t-take-any-longer-to-improvise-10-takes-than-it-takes-to/) [Harold Ramis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-ramis/) > [As much as I liked acting for its playfulness and the reward of hearing big laughs wash over you on a stage, I always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-ramis/as-much-as-i-liked-acting-for-its-playfulness-and-the-reward-of/) [Harold Ramis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-ramis/) > [I've never taken a script to the stage or to principal photography and said, "This is perfect. This is as good as it can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-ramis/i-ve-never-taken-a-script-to-the-stage-or-to-principal-photography/) [Harold Ramis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-ramis/) > [I realized that my righteous indignation was a form of entertainment for me. I loved getting pissed off at injustice. I didn't do anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-ramis/i-realized-that-my-righteous-indignation-was-a-form-of-entertainment/) [Harold Ramis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-ramis/) > [My characters aren't losers. They're rebels. They win by their refusal to play by everyone else's rules.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-ramis/my-characters-aren-t-losers-they-re-rebels-they-win-by-their-refusal/) [Harold Ramis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-ramis/) > [I made a handshake agreement with my best friend in college, Michael Shamberg, who is now a movie producer. We used to write shows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-ramis/i-made-a-handshake-agreement-with-my-best-friend-in-college-michael/) [Harold Ramis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-ramis/) > [The trick with sequels is, you have to give people what they liked before, yet be innovative enough so they don't feel like they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-ramis/the-trick-with-sequels-is-you-have-to-give-people-what-they-liked/) [Harold Ramis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-ramis/) > [Life doesn't care about your vision. You just gotta roll with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-ramis/life-doesn-t-care-about-your-vision-you-just-gotta-roll-with-it/) [Harold Ramis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-ramis/) > [I look for the meaning in what's funny, and I look for what's funny about things that are meaningful to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-ramis/i-look-for-the-meaning-in-what-s-funny-and-i-look-for-what-s-funny/) [Harold Ramis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-ramis/) [Explore all 117 Harold Ramis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-ramis/) ## More Bed quotes > [When man of slender visits you / Nothing on earth that one can do / In well he’ll hide, or watery hole / And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-goldstein/when-man-of-slender-visits-you-nothing-on-earth-that-one-can-do-in/) [Jack Goldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-goldstein/) > [Your idea of fidelity is not having more than one man in bed at the same time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-raphael/your-idea-of-fidelity-is-not-having-more-than-one-man-in-bed-at-the/) [Frederic Raphael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-raphael/) > [The beginning of love is all about the butterflies, but the end of it is when you can't get out of bed in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-swift/the-beginning-of-love-is-all-about-the-butterflies-but-the-end-of-it/) [Taylor Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-swift/) > [Home is behind, the world ahead, And there are many paths to tread Through shadows to the edge of night, Until the stars are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/home-is-behind-the-world-ahead-and-there-are-many-paths-to-tread/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I wish I had as much in bed as I get in the newspapers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-ronstadt/i-wish-i-had-as-much-in-bed-as-i-get-in-the-newspapers/) [Linda Ronstadt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-ronstadt/) > [ Leave a cavity behind the \[wall\] facings, and on the inside build walls two feet thick, made of red dimension stone or burnt brick… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-vitruvius-pollio/leave-a-cavity-behind-the-wall-facings-and-on-the-inside-build-walls/) [Marcus Vitruvius Pollio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-vitruvius-pollio/) > [Why couldn't Jesus command us to obsess over everything, to try to control and manipulate people, to try not to breathe at all, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/why-couldn-t-jesus-command-us-to-obsess-over-everything-to-try-to/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“To all the secret writers, late-night painters, would-be singers, lapsed and scared artists of every stripe, dig out your paintbrush, or your flute, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shauna-niequist/to-all-the-secret-writers-late-night-painters-would-be-singers-lapsed/) [Shauna Niequist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shauna-niequist/) > [“In the parking lot, she drove and parked in a dark area with no other cars around. She reclined her seat, and listened to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/in-the-parking-lot-she-drove-and-parked-in-a-dark-area-with-no-other/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [It wasn't really touching to be young; it was touching not to be young, because you had less of life left. Touching to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-macaulay/it-wasn-t-really-touching-to-be-young-it-was-touching-not-to-be-young/) [Rose Macaulay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-macaulay/) > [I have to meditate before I go to bed, always. I have to let the day go and let the eternal in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bellamy-young/i-have-to-meditate-before-i-go-to-bed-always-i-have-to-let-the-day-go/) [Bellamy Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bellamy-young/) > [Sometimes by a woodland stream he watched the water rush over the pebbled bed, its tiny modulations of bounce and flow. A woman's body…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/sometimes-by-a-woodland-stream-he-watched-the-water-rush-over-the/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [I think life is full of challenges and problems. I don't believe that anyone is perfect. We all make mistakes. It's not a bed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-mansell/i-think-life-is-full-of-challenges-and-problems-i-don-t-believe-that/) [Nigel Mansell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-mansell/) > [When I saw him I thought I could curl up inside him and go to sleep and never wake up." "Men are no good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherynne-m-valente/when-i-saw-him-i-thought-i-could-curl-up-inside-him-and-go-to-sleep/) [Catherynne M. Valente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherynne-m-valente/) > [I always wanted to be a movie star. I thought it meant being famous and having breakfast in bed. I didn't know you had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/june-allyson/i-always-wanted-to-be-a-movie-star-i-thought-it-meant-being-famous/) [June Allyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/june-allyson/) [Browse all 4,159 Bed quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bed/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think satire is a luxury of literate middle-class people. People who are well fed and relatively secure in their beds can laugh at their troubles. They can enjoy sitcoms. 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