This article investigates the transformation of satirical techniques in twentieth
century English literature, focusing on the transition from conventional satire to the
phenomenon of “anti-satire.” Using the literary trajectory of Evelyn Waugh as a primary
case study, the research analyzes how the author’s early cynical detachment evolved into a
complex, morally grounded critique of modernity. The study highlights the “Sword of
Honour” trilogy as the pinnacle of this shift, where the traditional satirical ridicule of vice
is superseded by a tragic exploration of the individual’s struggle to maintain integrity in a
fragmented world.