Perfect Behavior
by Donald Ogden Stewart
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Description
First published in 1922, this parody of etiquette and social mores makes fun of the pitfalls of courtship, engagement, and marriage, as well as such social settings as dinner parties, sporting events, and the theater. With satirical Jazz-era illustrations by Ralph Barton, known at the time for his caricatures of actors and other celebrities, the book's humor holds up remarkably well today, with such "crises" as how to deal with a screaming baby in a crowded, confined space or how to write a show more proper love letter to one's fiancée. With Marx Brothers-like literary slapstick, Perfect Behavior is the perfect impulse gift for anyone who enjoys a good laugh over everyday social foibles. show lessTags
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One of my first exposures to satire, this book mocks, in roaringly funny fashion, the etiquette books of its generation. Topics include courting a lover by burning down their house, and the proper way to play golf (always let your boss win.) The language in this novel is much more accessible than the likes of Jonathan Swift, a very typical example when it comes to teaching satire. This could be used to explore those concepts in a more approachable fashion.
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Author Information
22+ Works 818 Members
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Statistics
- Members
- 43
- Popularity
- 689,233
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (3.60)
- Languages
- English, German
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 9
- ASINs
- 6
