Topics in American Literature: The Comic Tradition in 19th-Century American Literature
Gregg Camfield profile
MWF 1
According to E.B. White, "Analyzing Humor is like dissecting a frog;
that is, it can be done, but the frog tends to die in the process."
In this course, we are going to try to kill frogs. We will
investigate American literry humor both historically and
theoretically. Readings will probably include: Washington Irving,
from The Sketchbook; Frances Miriam Whitcher, The Widow Bedott Papers;
James Lowell, The Bigelow Papers; Caroline Kirkland, from A New Home--
Who'll Follow? Herman Melville, The Confidence Man, "I and My
Chimney," "Cock-a-doodle-do!" "The Apple-tree Table," "Bartleby the
Scrivener"; Sarah Willis Parton (Fanny Fern), "satires" from Fern
Leaves' Harriet Beecher Stowe, Oldtown Fireside Stories; Edgar Allen
Poe, selected satires, hoaxes, and burlesques; Mark Twain, Roughing
It, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and selected short works; George
Washinton Harris, Sut Lovingood's yarns; "John Phoenix," selected
tales; Charles Farrar Brown, Artemus Ward: His Book; Marrietta
Holley, My Opinions and Betsey Bobbet's or My Wayward Pardner; Mary E.
Wilkins Freeman, selected stories; Charles Chesnutt, selected stories;
Joel Chandler Harris, Uncle Remus: His Songs and Savings; John
Morreal, ed., The Philosophy of Laughter and Humor. Requirements:
numberous short papers, regular attendance, faithful reading,
energetic class participation. Prerequisites: a sense of humor and
faith that some of the frogs will live.
updated 2006-03-29
