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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 7 page paper which examines the use
of allegory in John Barth's tale, "Giles Goat Boy." Bibliography lists 14 additional sources.
Page Count:
7 pages (~225 words per page)
File: JR7_RAbarth.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
dept.asp?dept_id=9030). Introduction There have been numerous critical analyses of John Barths story "Giles Goat Boy." In fact, in response to potential readers, and assuming particular responses to his
work would arise, Barth apparently critically analyzed his own book in the Publishers Disclaimer, which opens with the following words: "The reader must begin this book with an act of
faith and end it with an act of charity. We ask him to believe in the sincerity and authenticity of this preface, affirming in return his prerogative to be skeptical
of all that follows it" (Barth Barth.html). As we can see, his work clearly offers up witty and comical perspectives, a reality further emphasized by the following author: "Mr. Barths
fiction, critics say, relies on elaborate framing devices, parody and wit to explore the claims of art and the problems of self-consciousness" (Janesch barth.html). It should be noted that this
particular work was greatly heralded and positively criticized by many: "Giles Goat Boy (1966) was a huge critical and commercial success" (Anonymous John Barth barth.html). Bearing all of these
realities, and simple perspectives, in mind, one must have more to say about this book than focusing on its wit or humor. There is, as is the case with any
novel, a clear power of theme behind this comical tale of ones journey as a goat. Many have argued that it is perhaps about the Cold War: "In that novel,
he handles his themes more tellingly, with a background more extraordinary, than in the other novels he has written, and by making it partly an allegorical account of the Cold
War increases its interest" (Anonymous The Last Voyage of Somebody the Sailor: John Barth rev0311.html). However, in all honesty, it is "a parody of the world seen as a university"
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