2. BIOGRAPHY
Richard Gary Brautigan
(January 30, 1935 – ca.
September 14, 1984) was a 20th
century American novelist, poet,
and short story writer.
His work often employs black
comedy, parody, and satire.
He is best known for his 1967
novel Trout Fishing in America.
3. BLACK COMEDY
A black comedy, or dark comedy, is a comic
work that employs black humour or gallows
humor.
The definition of black humor is problematic;
it has been argued that it corresponds to the
earlier concept of gallows humor.
Black humour (from the French humour
noir) is a term coined by Surrealist
theoretician André Breton in 1935, to
designate a sub-genre of comedy and satire in
which laughter arises from cynicism and
skepticism, often about the topic of death.
4. PARODY
A parody (also called send-up, spoof or
lampoon), in contemporary usage, is a
work created to mock, comment on, or
trivialise an original work, its subject,
author, style, or some other target, by
means of humorous, satiric or ironic
imitation.
5. SATIRE
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form,
although in practice it can also be found in
the graphic and performing arts.
In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and
shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally
with the intent of shaming individuals, and
society itself, into improvement.
Although satire is usually meant to be
funny, its greater purpose is often
constructive social criticism, using wit as a
weapon.
6. CORPORAL
Corporal is as short story that takes the
AMERICAN DREAM as its main theme.
Brautigan is interested in — and often
empathises with — the underdogs... those who
have not succeeded.
The story is told through a young boy’s eyes
as he collects paper to help with the war effort.
The boy realises he will never be a General and
gives up on his collecting.
7. CORPORAL
Brautigan is a great user of metaphors:
For example, what are the ranks a
metaphor?
He is playful in his use of language:
Consider the multiple meanings of some of
his words.
He is capable of making us see things from
the young boys point of view — but with
an older person’s sensibilities.
8. CORPORAL
TASK
How does Brautigan use words and imagery
to reveal his view of the American Dream in
his short story CORPORAL?
OR
How effective is Richard Brautigan’s
language in conveying the theme(s) of his
story CORPORAL?
