Here's a breakdown:
* Parody is a humorous imitation of a literary work (or other artistic work) that exaggerates or distorts its characteristic features. The goal is often to make fun of the original work, or to comment on it in a humorous way.
Here are some key elements of parody:
* Exaggeration: Key elements of the original work are exaggerated to create a humorous effect.
* Distortion: Features of the original work are twisted or altered in a way that creates a humorous mismatch.
* Imitation: The parody will often mimic the style, tone, and even the language of the original work.
* Humor: The ultimate goal of parody is to be funny.
Famous examples of parody:
* "The Simpsons" is a parody of American family sitcoms like "The Honeymooners" and "Leave It to Beaver."
* "Scary Movie" is a parody of horror films like "Scream" and "I Know What You Did Last Summer."
* "The Onion" is a satirical news website that parodies traditional news outlets.
Let me know if you'd like more examples or want to discuss a specific work you're thinking of!