Some good insights but . . .
Posted by Kay on April 19, 1998 at 14:24:24:
In response to "Dazzling parody", written by Barbara on April 19, 1998 at 13:15:08
"Cold Comfort Farm" was published in 1932.
"Grapes of Wrath" by Steinbeck was published in 1939
"East of Eden" by Steinbeck was written in 1952.
I'm not sure that Gibbons would be parodying American literature anyway. I'm not an expert, by any means, but Stella Gibbons profession as a journalist might shed some light on part of the parody. Journalists have to write in short, crisp, sentences, and at times she writes overblown prose; the sentences which have two or three asterisks. Nowadays, simple writing is more valued, but perhaps not so in the early 30s. That Pookworthy forward seemed like a parody. I could find no reference to an actual writer by that name.
As far as the rural characters, I don't know if there's any English rustic literature. Those people in the south of England do seem to have some similarities with characters in American southern writing.
"A Common Reader" catalog described this book as being about a Jane Austen character coming onto the set of the "Beverly Hillbillies" as played by method actors.
The Bible quotes are appreciated. Thanks, Barbara, for leading off the discussion.
- I know Barbara 14:33:07 4/19/98
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