The American Humorist
James Thurber is considered to be one of the greatest American humorists of the 20th Century. He had a way that interpreted the everyday life of American people. Not only could people connect to his stories, but he included many superior qualities in his writing that sparked people’s interest and kept them wanting more. James Thurber’s work appealed to all ages. Not only could he write, but he also illustrated and drew cartoons, so he had something for people of every age group. When one thinks of James Thurber, humor is what usually comes to mind, but there is much more to his work than that. Thurber’s use of theme and other literary qualities throughout his work set the stage for his unique style of writing and show the reader who he is through and through.
Like all genuine writers and artist, James Thurber looked at life in a highly original way. Thurber’s style is finely shaped varying from fluency to humorous word coinage (Beetz 2608). What he sees is a curious mix of reality and fantasy. One of Thurber’s major subjects is the use and abuse of language because he valued language as a necessary principle of order (Otto1). The precarious nature of language is one of Thurber’s central concerns. He took language seriously because he saw it as an instrument of order, clarity, and good sense, but he was also fascinated by its capacity to create an Alice-in-Wonderland world. Thurber had a partiality for situations involving eccentric behavior, intricate practical jokes and breakdowns of communication (Otto 2). He taps a common source of anxiety and illuminates it with his own perspective (Bowden 2). “Entering Thurber’s middle-class world, is like wandering into a psychiatric ward and not being quite sure...
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...mes” is one of his best novels and still retains its comedy today. The characters in the novel never dare to do anything, but when they do, they always get in trouble. To understand Thurber’s comedy one must know the aspects of his personality that make him vulnerable in his work (Tobias 4).
In conclusion, James Thurber was more than just a great American writer. His talent was somewhat harder to see because of the way he expressed himself. No matter if it was writing or illustrating, Thurber’s work was always inspired by the way he felt and he did every piece of work with a reason. Children and adults could enjoy his work but only few dug deep enough to see and appreciate the talent that he had. Most would say Thurber’s use of theme and other literary qualities set the stage for his unique style of writing and show the reader who he is through and through.
What is the most common perception held in this country concerning the people and the way they live in the South? The perception most of the country has about life down here in the South is one of slow-paced living, simple-minded people, and stubborn, unwarranted pride. One of the best ways to combat this perception is through the use of humor; Lewis Grizzard was one of the best at this, because he could take the experiences from his own life as well as the lives of others in the South and turn them into humorous semi-fictional stories. He was one of the preeminent fictional authors this country has ever seen because of his ability to connect with people and joke about everyday life in the south, without offending the subjects of those jokes, despite the popular opinion the rest of the country held.
John Cheever was a mastermind of irony, drama, and depth. Cheever was able to create stories that not only entertained readers but also made them think. He has received numerous awards for his writing and is considered one of the greatest American writers in history. Cheever wrote stories that drew from his life experiences. He accurately depicted life in the suburbs during the 1960s through his tales of folly and scandal. Cheever’s writing extended beyond just that of short stories, and he had several successful novels. Although he was not always well received by critics, his writing was some of the best of the time. Cheever’s death in 1982 signified the death of a great chapter in the history of American literature.
... read and his beautiful and descriptive style allow me to say with absolute certainty that Steinbeck has developed into being my favorite author over the past few months. Yet, as I bring this paper to a close, I know that I have barely skimmed the surface of who this man was and why he wrote what he did the way he did.
The clearest vision of reality is often the most abstract. While the rise of science and progress suffocate the notion of an extrasensory experience within the reading of literature, the phenomena persist. Meanings are communicated, participating in a magnificent cosmic-cultural aura, penetrating a communication of meaning, intent, and scandalously--truth. There is a process of intertextuality occurring, a conversation between authors, texts themselves, and the readers who venture to interpret them. Richard Brautigan's imaginary novel, In Watermelon Sugar converses well with a poem written many years after his death, Tunnel Music by Mark Doty. This conversation appears to be about the collapse of our techno-egocentric society.
Mark Twain quickly rose to fame after the release of his story, “Jim Smiley and the Jumping Frog,” and he continued to make a name for himself through the release of stories such as The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. Twain saw immense success and fame; he was easily recognizable and wildly popular, even to the point of being called “the greatest American humorist of his age” by the New York Times. In short, Twain was as close to being an international sensation as one could hope for in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. However, it wasn’t until the later days of his writing career that Twain became so well known. As photography was expensive and hard to come by, caricatures were the method of choice to portray celebrities. And, as
Amy Tan talks of the English she grew up with. Tan describes an English her mother uses and an English she shares with her husband. Tan sprinkles in the emotional intricacies of a personalized language that is burdened by misconceptions and apprehensively describes this language as “broken,” but expression through the use of a “broken language doesn’t invalidate what is being said, it doesn’t devoid passion, intention or imagination it simply differs from a normality. Envisage expression as ubiquitous. The differences rest in the vessels used to express. Here, I am using the English language, a grandiose entangling of words and a structured system, to indite my thoughts.
In three dynamic pieces of literature, the desperate yet hopeful characters gallantly endure the struggles of achieving their dreams as they experience the pain of desolation and the life-fulfilling happiness of a friendly companion. Through hostile resentment, the intense repulsion created by generations of territorial disputes tears apart two vengeful foes, Ulrich and Georg, in Saki’s captivating tale. Whereas in Remarque’s gory war novel, the pure terror of battle brutally slaughters the once innocent minds of soldiers as they undergo changes in their heart and soul within themselves. Although impervious to the influence of the reclusive residents tied to the ranch, as they quest for their shared aspirations, George and Lennie forge an invincible friendship in Steinbeck’s calamitous novelette.
Literature has played a large role in the way we perceive the world and it can affect the way in which we think about things. Edgar Allan Poe along with Mark Twain are two of the most influential authors that our world has ever seen. Their descriptiveness and diction has had a huge impact on their readers for centuries. Poe’s gothic style of writing was very enthralling and suspenseful; it left you wanting to know what was going to happen next. Whereas, Mark Twain was a very humorous author that intended to amuse all that read. The descriptiveness that was incorporated by these world-renown authors is tremendous.
Language is a tool to communicate with others, convey your ideas and meanings. Precise language is important because it can help you exchange ideas with others more efficiently without any chance of being misunderstood. Sometimes, different words are used to conceal the true meaning of the idea or action, such as passing away implicating death. In Lois Lowry’s “The Giver”, people living in the community are taught to use precise language to prevent any misunderstanding or misconceptions. But some words used in the community are not precise and are used to distort the true purpose of the word, in order to promote rules or ideas that the government does not want the general public to know. Three words in Lois Lowry’s “The Giver” which camouflage the true meaning of the words are release, assignment and stirrings.
	Few writers of the twentieth century have made nearly the same impact on the literary society than Sheldon Allan Silverstein. His writing encompasses a broad range of styles, from adult to children’s, comical to unusual. One of his most common styles was that of fantasy: actions and events that cannot logically happen. This style was evident in his works, the Loser, Thumb Face, Warning, Squishy Touch, and Skin Stealer. Through the description of these absurd circumstances, Silverstein was able to entertain readers of all ages.
A successful writer is he who is able to transmit ideas, emotions, and wisdom on to his readers. He is cable of stirring emotions and capturing the reader's attention with vivid descriptions and clever dialogues. The writer can even play with the meanings of words and fuse reality with fiction to achieve his goal of taking the reader on a wonderful journey. His tools are but words, yet the art of writing is found in the use of the language to create though-provoking pieces that defy the changing times. Between the lines, voices and images emerge. Not everyone can write effectively and invoke these voices. It is those few who can create certain psychological effects on the reader who can seize him (or her) with inspiring teachings, frightening thoughts, and playful games with the language. These people are true writers…
Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known by the pseudonym Mark Twain, has been central to American literature for over a century. His seemingly effortless diction accurately exemplified America’s southern culture. From his early experiences in journalism to his most famous fictional works, Twain has remained relevant to American writing as well as pop culture. His iconic works are timeless and have given inspiration the youth of America for decades. He distanced himself from formal writing and became one of the most celebrated humorists. Mark Twain’s use of the common vernacular set him apart from authors of his era giving his readers a sense of familiarity and emotional connection to his characters and himself.
During the early 1900s there was a slow and powerful movement from negative emphasis in the critical examination of American life and modern society as a whole to positive revaluation of materials and affirmation. A few writers attained positive reviews early in this period and in their careers. A large number receive negative reviews. However, among the writers of eminence and influence, many of those individual’s development corresponded to the general pattern. The character of the ultimate affirmation varied widely. The findings included positive values in democracy, in materialism, in the common man in religion, in man’s relation to the earth and in human life as a whole. Guy de Maupassant and James Thurber used the techniques of irony and conflict to explore and view marital relationships.
Alexie, Sherman. “The Joy of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me” Writer’s Presence: A Pool of Readings. 5th ed. Ed. Robert Atawan and Donald McQuade. Boston:Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2006. 73-76. Print
When a writer starts his work, most often than not, they think of ways they can catch their reader’s attention, but more importantly, how to awake emotions within them. They want to stand out from the rest and to do so, they must swim against the social trend that marks a specific society. That will make them significant; the way they write, how they make a reader feel, the specific way they write, and the devotion they have for their work. Washington Irving, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Edgard Allan Poe influenced significantly the American literary canon with their styles, themes, and forms, making them three important writers in America.