English Satire by James Sutherland

English Satire

by James Sutherland

The Syndics of the Cambridge University Press, 1967, hardcover, dustjacket

Very Good Condition, a little edge and shelf wear, a little rubbing and bumping to edges and corners, dustjacket attached to inside front and back covers, ex-library with stamps to half title page, title page and back endpapers, sticker residue to back endpaper, sticker to spine (see photographs)

“Professor Sutherland’s Clark Lectures, given at Cambridge in 1956, begin with a definition of satire, distinguishing it from comedy and emphasising the special qualities of the satirical author’s motives, and his participation in and enjoyment of the use of his talent.  He then discusses primitive and popular forms; and there follow four chapters on satire in verse, in prose, in the novel and in the theatre.
Each is historical, ranging from the beginnings of modern English literature to Shaw and Orwell.  Due consideration is given to classical and medieval traditions, but the real core of the argument in each case is an analysis of the great English satirists, their standpoint, style and method, with ample enjoyable quotation.”