What is the Difference Between Parody and Satire?

Parody and satire are both forms of humor used in writing, but they serve different purposes and can be distinguished by their focus and methods. Here are the main differences between parody and satire:

Focus: Parody imitates a specific work or style for comic effect, often by applying that style to an outlandish or inappropriate subject. Satire, on the other hand, is intended to do more than just entertain; it tries to improve humanity and its institutions by arousing the reader's disapproval of a vice, abuse, faulty belief, or other targets.
Methods: Parody relies on mimicry and exaggeration to deride its target, while satire employs various techniques such as euphemism, irony, exaggeration, and understatement to hold its target up to ridicule.
Purpose: Parody is a comedic commentary about a specific work, requiring an imitation of that work. Satire, even when it uses a creative work as the vehicle for the message, offers commentary and criticism about the world, not that specific creative work.

In summary, parody is a lighter form of humor that imitates a specific work for comic effect, while satire is a more incisive and critical form of humor that aims to improve society by targeting broader issues and institutions. Examples of parody include Seth Grahame-Smith's "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies", while examples of satire include George Orwell's "Animal Farm" and Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver's Travels".