"Rejected Addresses" and the Art of Poetic Parody
Abstract
Since its publication on October 10, 1812, Horace and James Smith's Rejected Addresses has been treated as a minor masterpiece--"minor" because it consists entirely of parody, the genre which is probably diminished most by time, and "masterpiece" because the parodies are exceptional in a field crowded with pieces unworthy of the term "literature." Just as a detailed analysis enhances appreciation of a good poem, so a thorough analysis of a good parody heightens critical insights, not only into the parody itself but also into the work of the author parodied. In the past, commentary about Rejected Addresses has been positive but general. This dissertation subjects thirteen of the individual poetic parodies to detailed analysis to show the special combination of lighthearted humor and astute literary criticism in Rejected Addresses.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
British and Irish literature
Off-Campus Purdue Users:
To access this dissertation, please log in to our
proxy server.