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http://hdl.handle.net/11375/11145
Title: | Slapstick; or Laughterhouse-Five: Vonnegut and Swift Misperceived |
Authors: | Griffin, Brent David |
Advisor: | Sigman, J. |
Department: | English |
Keywords: | English Language and Literature;English Language and Literature |
Publication Date: | Oct-1990 |
Abstract: | <p>This paper is primarily concerned with demonstrating the influence of Jonathan Swift on Kurt Vonnegut; or, more specifically, of <em>Gulliver's Travels on Slapstick</em>. The introductory chapter establishes the possibility of a Swiftiian influence from Vonnegut's proposed "Preface" to an edition of the Travels ("Jonathan Swift Misperceived," Chapter XIV , of Vonnegut's <em>Palm Sunday</em>). Previous criticism that compares Vonnegut to Swift (Wymer, Sliaw), and how this study differs from this criticism, is examined. Some, general terms relevant to an examination of both I authors are subsequently defined (Abrams). The Introduction doses with a brief outline of the contents of the following chapters.</p> <p>Chapter One surveys and assesses some of the more important reviews and criticism on Slapstick, and forms a basis for the following discussion. Chapter Two, the heart of the thesis, is a direct comparison of Slapstick and Gulliver's Travels. Chapter Three examines how Vonnegut reads Swift, as ascertained from his proposed "Preface," I and how this reading manifests itself in Slapstick--in essence, a Vonnegutian look at Swift. An "allegorical' examination of Vonnegut, constructed on the framework of the entire paper to that point, is then conducted--in essence, a Swiftian look at Vonnegut. The concluding chapter summarizes the contents of the earlier chapters, and determines the merit of the comparison study.</p> |
URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/11375/11145 |
Identifier: | opendissertations/6136 7201 2243638 |
Appears in Collections: | Open Access Dissertations and Theses |
Files in This Item:
File | Size | Format | |
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fulltext.pdf | 3.18 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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