Mark Twain, James Thurber, and David Sedaris: American Literary Humorists

Identifier

etd-04062015-152523

Author

Liz Sills, Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeFollow

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Communication Studies

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

This analysis probes the unique nature of the American Literary Humorist by looking at three exemplary cases of this type of figure: Mark Twain, James Thurber, and David Sedaris. Rather than dissecting their works to the point that they become unfunny, this piece examines their interaction with the times and publics that form their audiences. Doing so allows us to better understand their resonance both during their own times and today and gives us a better look at what really makes them stand out in the history of American letters.

Date

2015

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Recommended Citation

Sills, Liz, "Mark Twain, James Thurber, and David Sedaris: American Literary Humorists" (2015). LSU Doctoral Dissertations. 3948.
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations/3948

Committee Chair

Crick, Nathan

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_dissertations.3948