The modern satiric grotesque and its traditions / John R. Clark.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Clark, John R., 1930- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Grotesque in literature.

Satire--History and criticism.

Satire.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (223 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Lexington, Kentucky : The University Press of Kentucky, 1991.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Thomas Mann predicted that no manner or mode in literature would be so typical or so pervasive in the twentieth century as the grotesque. Assuredly he was correct. The subjects and methods of our comic literature (and much of our other literature) are regularly disturbing and often repulsive -- no laughing matter.In this ambitious study, John R. Clark seeks to elucidate the major tactics and topics deployed in modern literary dark humor. In Part I he explores the satiric strategies of authors of the grotesque, strategies that undercut conventional usage and form: the de-basement of heroes, the

Contents:

Cover; Title; Copyright; Contents; Preface; Introduction; Part I. Dark Comedy; 1. Deadly Laughter; 2. Satiric Gothic, Satiric Grotesque; Part II. Stratagems; 3. Degrading the Hero; 4. Debunking the Author; 5. Dislocating the Language; 6. Gaming with the Plot; 7. Further Intrusion and Obstruction; 8. Discordant Endings; 9. Infernal Repetition; Part III. Themes; 10. Ennui; 11. Scatology; 12. Cannibals; 13. Dystopias and Machines; 14. Entropy and Armageddon; Part IV. Conclusion; 15. The Death of the Humanities; Notes; Index; A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; Y

Z

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (p. [165]-202) and index.

Includes index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

0-8131-5619-X

0-8131-6135-5

OCLC:

551303040