Satire and Synthesis: Parody and Satire of Victorian Education in the Works of Lewis Carroll

Author

Cameron D. Sedlacek, Central Washington UniversityFollow

Document Type

Thesis

Date of Degree Completion

Spring 2016

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

English Literature

Committee Chair

Lila Harper

Second Committee Member

George Drake

Third Committee Member

Christine Sutphin

Abstract

Education is an integral part of any society. Victorian England saw drastic reform in the method of childhood education, shifting from religious to secular forms of rote memorization. An analysis of the works of Lewis Carroll reveals significant instances of parody, pastiche, and satire on these styles of education and their corresponding reform. Unlike traditional satire, however, Lewis Carroll’s satire does not simply criticize these targets, but utilizes a strategy of synthesis to illustrate strengths and weaknesses of various conflicting educational ideologies and to suggest ways of adopting methods from all available options.

Recommended Citation

Sedlacek, Cameron D., "Satire and Synthesis: Parody and Satire of Victorian Education in the Works of Lewis Carroll" (2016). All Master's Theses. 348.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/etd/348

Language

English