第三组The Libido for the Ugly.ppt

Lesson 5 The Libido for the Ugly Henry Louis Mencken (1880-1956) Made by 彭楚楚 张松 许小曼 舒双 李新主 About the author Henry Louis Mencken (1880-1956) The most prominent newspaperman Editor Critic Satirist About the author Born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1880 and died there in 1956. In1899, Mencken began his long career as journalist, critic, and philologist as a reporter for the Baltimore Morning Herald . In 1906 he joined the staff of the Baltimore Sun, thus initiating an association with the Sunpapers that would last until a few years before his death. A central figure in American intellectual life during the 1920s From 1914 to 1923, he was coeditor of the Smart Set with George Jean Nathan. From 1925 to 1933, with Nathan he founded the American Mercury, of which he was sole editor. Launched the most cutting attacks of any writer against American middle class culture. About the author He was a prolific writer of his day ---his prose is as clear as azure sky ---his rhetoric as deadly as rifle shot Henry Louis Mencken was the first American to be widely read as a critic. Though, earlier, James Lowell and Edgar Allan Poe had been better endowed with critical intelligence, their proficiency in other literary forms had obscured to some degree their skills as critics. He invented the word “booboisie”, combining the two worlds “bourgeoisie” and “booby” (an awkward, foolish person) In caustic, witty essays, he derided （mock）the institution which supported the middle class. He enjoyed controversy and tried to arouse his antagonists with his direct and devastating attacks. His works The American language （1918） Prejudices (6vols, 1919—1927) Happy days Newspaper days Heathen days 25 books and thousands of articles 1940—1943 autobiography Mencken’s style Mencken is well know for his bombastic style and acid tone. He chooses the strongest words possible, words borde