Kingsley Amis and British Satire

Abstract

This article explores the satirical genius of Kingsley Amis, one of the most incisive and influential voices in post-war British fiction. By examining core themes and narrative strategies in select novels—Lucky Jim, One Fat Englishman, The Green Man, Jake’s Thing, and Stanley and the Women—the study reveals how Amis used satire to critique academic elitism, cultural pretensions, class hierarchies, and evolving gender dynamics. Drawing on critical scholarship, the article situates Amis in the British satirical tradition while showing how his works reflect deep social and personal anxieties of the 20th century. By employing irony, grotesque characterization, and biting humor, Amis redefined British satire to expose the absurdities and contradictions of modernity.