Misrepresentative Men

Harry GrahamProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.2

Word count: 29K words
Chapters: 3

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Misrepresentative Men by Harry GrahamAuthor: Graham, Harry, 1874-1936,Language: English, Class: PR: Language and Literatures: English literature, Release Date: Jun 3, 2011

Editor's review

Misrepresentative Men is a collection of humorous verse by the English writer Harry Graham; the title itself is ironic, pointing to playful portrayals of character and public identity. Graham is known for light verse and witty banter, and he excels at using exaggeration and irony to create comic effect; this book continues that style—short, pithy, and well suited to reading aloud. For readers familiar with the English humorous literary tradition, it offers a light sample of English verse satire from the late nineteenth to early twentieth century; for those studying public-domain literature and humorous styles, it can also serve as material for textual analysis. The book is short and well suited to reading in stages during a commute or in spare moments; reading it aloud makes its rhythm and playful tone easier to appreciate. As you read, note the types of characters and targets of satire in each poem, and consider how the author handles social identity and reputation in a light form.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who enjoy English humorous verse and light satire
Scholars studying English humorous literature from the late nineteenth to early twentieth century
Learners who want to improve their English sense through short verse
Casual readers who like texts that can be read aloud and in fragments

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting serious biography or historical figure studies
Readers who prefer the continuous narrative of a long novel
Readers not interested in English verse and ironic expression

Reading tips

Read one or two pieces at a time and read them aloud to appreciate the rhythm and humorous tone of the verse
After reading, briefly note the targets and techniques of satire to map the author's range of character types
Understand the use of irony and exaggeration in the context of the English humorous literary tradition
Compare with satirical verse by contemporary writers to see similarities and differences in theme and style

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

What kind of work is this book?

It is a collection of humorous verse by the English writer Harry Graham, using irony and exaggeration to portray character and public identity. The book is short and suited to reading in stages and aloud, rather than being a long continuous narrative.

What does the title “Misrepresentative Men” mean?

The title is ironic, literally pointing to figures who are misrepresented or poorly represented. In the context of the book, it alerts readers to the author's playful treatment of character and reputation; as you read, note what each piece satirizes.

Can I understand it without a background in English literature?

You can read it, but understanding the irony and the period context will make it more rewarding. Start by reading one or two pieces to get a feel for the tone, then use reference works to learn about late nineteenth-century English social and cultural background and gradually appreciate the author's humorous techniques.

What should I keep in mind when reading the Gutenberg edition?

This is a public-domain e-book available for free; the text is easy to search and copy, but it usually has no modern notes or introduction. When you encounter allusions or expressions whose period background is unclear, you need to look them up yourself to gain a fuller understanding.

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About the author

Harry Graham Author · English · 1874–1936

Harry Graham (1874–1936) was a British journalist, humorous poet and lyricist, born on 23 December 1874 and died in London on 30 October 1936. Educated at Eton and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, he served early on as an officer in the Coldstream Guards and later became known by the pen name "Colonel D. Streamer." Graham made his name with collections of darkly comic verse, including Ruthless Rhymes for Heartless Homes and Perverted Proverbs, works that often subvert moral lessons and everyday common sense in playful rhyme laced with cool irony. He also wrote lyrics for several musical comedies, showing a versatile way with words. The library holds 10 of his works, commonly classified under inspirational growth, though his writing is closer to British comic and satirical verse. Public information is limited.