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dc.contributor.advisorCecil, L. Moffitt
dc.contributor.authorEstes, Emory Dolphousen_US
dc.date.accessioned2019-10-11T15:10:17Z
dc.date.available2019-10-11T15:10:17Z
dc.date.created1970en_US
dc.date.issued1970en_US
dc.identifieraleph-254615en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://repository.tcu.edu/handle/116099117/32282
dc.description.abstractThe aim of this study has been to reexamine the life and writing of Henry Cuyler Bunner. Only one study, The Life and Letters of Henry Cuyler Bunner by Gerard E. Jensen (1939), has been made of this remarkable man who was familiar to most educated people conversant with literary and journalistic matters in the United States during the nineteenth century. Dr. Jensen's book is a worthy contribution to American literature, but it does not evaluate the important role of Bunner as editor and as creative artist. This present study reveals Bunner as a successful editor of Puck magazine and a talented writer of varied genres. This investigation has revealed that one of Bunner's greatest achievements was his work on Puck which became under his editorship one of the first great American comic weeklies. Quadrupling the magazine's circulation and multiplying its influence in inestimable proportions, Bunner poured into its pages his comments on the social and political problems of his age. In the beginning almost half of the material in Puck was written by Bunner; and the editor was held in such esteem by his staff that later when he was provided a larger budget and more editorial assistance, he continued to dominate the style and content of the periodical. His gentlemanly demeanor did not weaken his attacks on social or political injustices or corruptions. Considering no foe too powerful, he aimed his critical barbs at the Roman Catholic Church, the President of the United States, and labor unions. Showing his great concern for the poor and downtrodden, his editorials often attacked those individuals or organizations that exploited or abused them. His work in journalism is even more important when one realizes that he was building circulation at the same time that he conducted his editorial campaigns. Having achieved a conspicuous success when comic journalism was at its height of popularity, his position in American journalism is relatively secure. Bunner included some of his literary selections in the pages of Puck and submitted occasional selections to other magazines. Finding a receptive public, he later collected his poems, stories, sketches, and essays into separate volumes. His versatility can be measured by his literary achievements which included four novels, two volumes of poetry, four volumes of short stories, two volumes of sketches and essays, and the issues of Puck magazine from 1878-1896. The value of his creative writing is difficult to assess since he experimented with so many genres and since he died at the peak of his creativity. Nevertheless this study shows that his major literary contribution to the American short story was his short six, a brilliantly executed form that foreshadowed the surprise endings of 0. Henry and that ranks as a worthy comparison to the short stories of de Maupassant. His most enduring poetic selections seem to be his light verse. In most instances, his poems are excellent models of mechanical dexterity and mirrors of the quieter genteel period in America. Written more to satisfy than to stimulate, the poems reveal a refreshing perception and a delicate fancy. This investigation of Bunner's novels, short stories, and essays reveals that he had an awareness of the realities of his time. His stories and novels of New York City and its environs characterize Bunner as a regionalistic writer. His dominant literary plea to fellow writers was to use New York as the setting for their works. Although Bunner believed that the area awaited and needed someone to write about it, his fiction is only partially commensurate with his creed. This study supports Jensen's theory that Bunner deserves only minor acclaim in the evaluation of American letters; however the author believes that Bunner merits serious scholarly attention by historians of American literature and thoughtful study by readers and students.
dc.format.extentvi, 218 leaves, bounden_US
dc.format.mediumFormat: Printen_US
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.relation.ispartofTexas Christian University dissertationen_US
dc.relation.ispartofAS38.E88en_US
dc.subject.lcshBunner, H. C. (Henry Cuyler), 1855-1896en_US
dc.titleHenry Cuyler Bunner: Editor and authoren_US
dc.typeTexten_US
etd.degree.departmentDepartment of English
etd.degree.levelDoctoral
local.collegeAddRan College of Liberal Arts
local.departmentEnglish
local.academicunitDepartment of English
dc.type.genreDissertation
local.subjectareaEnglish
dc.identifier.callnumberMain Stacks: AS38 .E88 (Regular Loan)
dc.identifier.callnumberSpecial Collections: AS38 .E88 (Non-Circulating)
etd.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy
etd.degree.grantorTexas Christian University


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