The 'Arry Ballads: An Annotated Collection of the Verse Letters by Punch Editor E.J. Milliken

by Patricia Marks

Overview

The romantic notion of the Cockney, the shrewd and slangy common man coming from nowhere and surviving by his wits, is best exemplified by E.J. Milliken's character 'Arry and the verse letters or ballads he writes. The letters and stories, as well as the character of 'Arry, were Milliken's vehicles for social criticism, namely the intolerance shown by the aristocracy. Those letters, colorful additions to Victorian history and humor, tell the story of 'Arry, a commoner who is enamored of the social hierarchy, and who is keenly aware how close the top and bottom rungs are. Central to the themes is the Cockney whose pride is his dialect.

Confidence in the face of the class system and withering social criticism make Milliken's 'Arry ballads memorable. This work analyzes the Cockney ballads and contains extensive annotations. Each chapter is dedicated to a facet of the everyday life of the common man in Victorian England, including entertainment, travel, and politics. Each is prefaced with a short analytical history of the period which also places the letters in context.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786423910
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	03/13/2006
Pages:	204
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.41(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Patricia Marks, now retired, taught literature and composition at Valdosta State University for 30 years. In 1996, she was named Regents Distinguished Professor and in 2001 was awarded the Governor’s Award in Humanities. She is the author of four other books, including Sarah Bernhardt’s First American Theatrical Tour, 1880–1881 (2003) and lives with her husband in Valdosta, Georgia. She is a Deacon at Christ Episcopal Church.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments     
Preface     

1. Plaid “Ditters”: Swells and Blokes     
2. ’Ot and Spicy Entertainment     
3. Traveling “On the Continong” and at Home     
4. “By Jingo”: Protecting the Homeland     
5. The Blues: Women and ’Arry     
6. Finale     

Bibliography     
Index