"It was a dark and stormy night" (1930; 1965 "pup fiction")

Sat May 6 20:03:28 UTC 2006

"Self-serious"?! What does that mean?

-Wilson

On 5/6/06, Bapopik at aol.com <Bapopik at aol.com> wrote:
>
> ---------------------- Information from the mail header
> -----------------------
> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster:       Bapopik at AOL.COM
> Subject:      "It was a dark and stormy night" (1930; 1965 "pup fiction")
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> I'm about to write a short story, I'm eating the peanuts that I'd
> bought  fo=
> r=20
> my three-week honeymoon in Greece and Turkey tomorrow, and all I
> can  think=20
> about is: "It was a dark and stormy night."
> ...
> The phrase was popularized by Edward Bulwer-Lytton's PAUL CLIFFORD (1930),
> =20
> and I suppose Fred Shapiro has that. Does Fred have Snoopy's "pup fiction"
> f=
> rom=20
> 1965?
> ...
> It appears that "it was a dark and stormy night in winter" was the
> standard=20=
> =20
> start to a story in the 1820s, and there would be a mysterious stranger at
> t=
> he=20
> door, and so on. The oft-reprinted Dutch short tale, "Jan Schalken's
> Three=20=
> =20
> Wishes," dates before 1830 and seems to have popularized "dark and stormy
> =20
> night."
> ...
> ...
> ...
> =20
>     Author _Lytton,  Edward Bulwer Lytton, Baron, 1803-1873._=20
> (
> http://catnyp.nypl.org/search/aLytton,+Edward+Bulwer+Lytton,+Baron,+1803-18=
> 73./alytton+edward
> +bulwer+lytton+baron+1803-1873/-2,-1,0,B/browse)    Title Paul
> Clifford.  =20
> Imprint New York, Printed by J. & J. Harper,  1830.
> ...
> ...
> ...
> _http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_and_stormy_night_=20
> (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_and_stormy_night)=20
> =20
> The phrase, "It was a dark and stormy night", made famous by
> comic  strip=20
> artist _Charles M. Schulz_ (
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_M._Schulz)=20=
> , was=20
> originally penned by _Victorian_=20
> (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_era)  novelist
> _Edward  Bulwer-Lytto=
> n, 1st Baron Lytton_=20
> (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Bulwer-Lytton,_1st_Baron_Lytton)  to
> be=
> gin his _1830_=20
> (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1830)  novel, _Paul  Clifford_=20
> (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Clifford) . The phrase itself is now
> unde=
> rstood as a _shorthand_=20
> (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shorthand)  for a certain broad  style of
> writ=
> ing,=20
> characterized by a _self-serious_ dramatic flair, an attempt to  imitate
> formu=
> laic=20
> styles, an extravagantly florid style, and _run-on sentences_=20
> (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Run-on_sentence) .  Bulwer-Lytton's original
> o=
> pening sentence=20
> serves as example:=20
> It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents, except at =20
> occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind
> which  s=
> wept up=20
> the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling
> along  the=20
> housetops, and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps
> that  strugg=
> led=20
> against the darkness.
> =E2=80=94_Paul Clifford_ (http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/7735) , available
> =20=
> for free=20
> via _Project  Gutenberg_ (
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Gutenberg)=20
> Although anyone can write in this style, achieving the worst
> effects  takes=20
> skill. Thus the annual _Bulwer-Lytton  Fiction Contest_=20
> (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulwer-Lytton_Fiction_Contest)  was formed,
> sp=
> onsored by the English=20
> Department of _San Jose State  University_=20
> (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Jose_State_University) , in which the
> wors=
> t examples of "dark and stormy night"=20
> writing  are recognized. The winning sentence of the 2002 contest, written
> b=
> y=20
> Rephah Berg  of _Oakland,  California_ (http://en
> .wikipedia.org/wiki/Oakland,_California) , explores the theme of troubled
> lo=
> ve:=20
> On reflection, Angela perceived that her relationship with Tom
> had  always=20
> been rocky, not quite a roller-coaster ride but more like when
> the  toilet-p=
> aper=20
> roll gets a little squashed so it hangs crooked and every time  you pull
> som=
> e=20
> off you can hear the rest going bumpity-bumpity in its holder  until you
> go=20
> nuts and push it back into shape, a degree of annoyance that  Angela had
> now=
> =20
> almost attained.
> =E2=80=94_http://www2.sjsu.edu/depts/english/2002.htm_=20
> (http://www2.sjsu.edu/depts/english/2002.htm)=20
> [_edit_=20
> (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=3DDark_and_stormy_night&action=
> =3Dedit&section=3D1) ]
> In popular culture
> In the _Peanuts_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peanuts)  comic strip by=20
> _Charles M. Schulz_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_M._Schulz) , the
> =20
> character _Snoopy_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snoopy)   was often shown
> t=
> o be=20
> starting yet another of many novels with the canonical  phrase.=20
> In _The  Royale_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Royale_(TNG_episode)) ,
> a=
> n=20
> episode of _Star Trek:  The Next Generation_=20
> (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_The_Next_Generation) , the phrase
> a=
> ppears as the opening line to the =20
> fictitious novel _Hotel  Royale_=20
> (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=3DHotel_Royale&action=3Dedit)
> .=20
> _A Wrinkle in Time_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Wrinkle_in_Time)
> begin=
> s=20
> with this line.
> ...
> ...
> ...
> (PROQUEST)
> ...
> _SCOTTISH  PICTURES._=20
> (
> http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=3D0&did=3D789595592&SrchMode=3D1&sid=
>
> =3D2&Fmt=3D10&VInst=3DPROD&VType=3DPQD&RQT=3D309&VName=3DHNP&TS=3D1146923552=
> &cli
> entId=3D65882)=20
> The Saturday Magazine: Being in Great Part a  Compilation From the
> British=20
> Reviews, Magazines, and Scientific Journals  (1821-1822). Philadelphia:
> Jun=20=
> 8,=20
> 1822. Vol. 2, Iss. 23; p. 518 (9 pages)=20
> ...
> It was a dark and stormy night; the rain beat furiously against the
> walls  o=
> f=20
> the hovel, which was now the habitation of the once prosperous  Fairfield.
> ...
> ...
> _A  TALE FOR THE TIMES._=20
> (
> http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=3D7&did=3D799101182&SrchMode=3D1&sid=
>
> =3D5&Fmt=3D10&VInst=3DPROD&VType=3DPQD&RQT=3D309&VName=3DHNP&TS=3D1146924401=
> &
> clientId=3D65882)=20
> Family Vis. Philadelphia Recorder (1823-1831). Philadelphia: Jan 15, 1825.
> =20
> Vol. 2, Iss. 94; p. 326 (1 page)=20
> ...
> It was on a dark and stormy night in winter, that a solitary traveller =20
> alighted at the door of a well frequented tavern in a populous city.
> ...
> ...
> _SELECTED  MISCELLANY.; JAN SCHALKEN'S THREE WISHES. A DUTCH LEGEND. _=20
> (
> http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=3D8&did=3D355773241&SrchMode=3D1&sid=
> =3D5&Fmt=3D10&VInst=3DP
> ROD&VType=3DPQD&RQT=3D309&VName=3DHNP&TS=3D1146924702&clientId=3D65882)=20
> The Worcester Magazine and Historical Journal (1825-1826).  Worcester: Oct
> 1=
> ,=20
> 1825. p. 216 (4 pages)=20
> ...
> First page:
> Thus the story goes: one dark and stormy night in winter, as Jan Schalken
> =20
> was sitting with his good-natured buxom wife by the fire, he was awakened
> fr=
> om a=20
> transient doze by a knocking at the door of his hut.
> ...
> ...
> _ORIGINAL.;  THE RIVAL HARPS....A SWISS TALE. _=20
> (
> http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=3D2&did=3D434053652&SrchMode=3D1&sid=
> =3D2&Fmt=3D10&VInst=3DPROD&VType=3DPQD&RQT=3D309&V
> Name=3DHNP&TS=3D1146923645&clientId=3D65882)=20
> THE WANDERER.  Emerald and Baltimore Literary Gazette (1828-1829). =20
> Baltimore: Jan 24, 1829. Vol. 2, Iss. 41; p. 25 (2 pages)=20
> ...
> First page:
> It was a dark and stormy night, several months after...(illegible)
> ...
> ...
> _Comic  4 -- No Title_=20
> (
> http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=3D66&did=3D582312242&SrchMode=3D1&sid=
>
> =3D1&Fmt=3D10&VInst=3DPROD&VType=3DPQD&RQT=3D309&VName=3DHNP&TS=3D1146925815=
> &c
> lientId=3D65882)=20
> Chicago Tribune (1963-Current  file). Chicago, Ill.: Jul 15, 1965. p. D1
> (1=20
> page)=20
> ...
> PANEL ONE:
> LINUS: This was a good book, Charlie Brown...
> ...
> PANEL TWO:
> LINUS: I like an author who is versatile.
> CHARLIE BROWN: I know what you mean...
> ...
> PANEL THREE:
> CHARLIE BROWN: Of course, some authors become successful simply by =20
> developing a formula...all their stories follow a certain pattern.
> ...
> PANEL FOUR:
> SNOOPY (typing): It was a dark and stormy night.
> ...
> ...
> _Pup  Fiction_=20
> (
> http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=3D67&did=3D633256782&SrchMode=3D1&sid=
>
> =3D1&Fmt=3D10&VInst=3DPROD&VType=3DPQD&RQT=3D309&VName=3DHNP&TS=3D1146926006=
> &clientId=3D
> 65882)=20
> Chicago Tribune (1963-Current file).  Chicago, Ill.: Jul 18, 1965. p. 22
> (1=20
> page)=20
> ...
> We have heard of pulp fiction, but never of pup fiction, until Snoopy took
> =20
> to his typewriter in the "Peanuts" strip and immediately began to score in
> t=
> he =20
> slicks.
> ...
> ...
> _SNOOPY'S  REJECTED STORY_=20
> (
> http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=3D68&did=3D582337082&SrchMode=3D1&sid=
> =3D1&Fmt=3D10&VInst=3DPROD&VType=3DPQD&RQT=3D309&VName=3DHNP&TS=3D11469261
> 09&clientId=3D65882)=20
> Chicago Tribune (1963-Current  file). Chicago, Ill.: Jul 22, 1965. p. 14
> (1=20
> page)=20
> ...
> ...
> _ANOTHER  SNOOPY STORY_=20
> (
> http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=3D69&did=3D582379062&SrchMode=3D1&sid=
>
> =3D1&Fmt=3D10&VInst=3DPROD&VType=3DPQD&RQT=3D309&VName=3DHNP&TS=3D1146926109=
> &
> clientId=3D65882)=20
> Chicago Tribune (1963-Current file).  Chicago, Ill.: Jul 31, 1965. p. S10
> (1=
> =20
> page)=20
> ...
> ...
> ...
> _http://homepages.pavilion.co.uk/tartarus/h22.htm_=20
> (http://homepages.pavilion.co.uk/tartarus/h22.htm)=20
> Great Tales of Terror  from Europe and America: Gothic Stories of Horror
> and=
> =20
> Romance  1765-1840, Gollancz  (London), 1972=20
> (Including: "Introduction" by Peter  Haining. GERMANY: "The New Melusina"
> by=
> =20
> Johann von Goethe, "The Ghost-Seer, or  The Apparitionist" by JF von
> Schille=
> r,=20
> "The Harp" by Karl Theodor Korner, "The  Wild Huntsman! Or The Demon's=20
> Skeleton Chase" by Gottfried August Burger, "The  Bride of the Grave" by
> Joh=
> ann=20
> Ludwig Tieck, "The Field of Terror" by Baron de la  Motte Fouqu=C3=A9,
> "The=20=
> Bottle-Imp"=20
> by Johann Karl August Musaus, "The Spectre  Barber" by anonymous, "The=20
> Cremona Violin" by ETA Hoffman, "The Fatal Marksman"  by Johann August
> Apel,=
> "The=20
> Devil's Ladder" by Alois Wilhelm Schreiber, "The  Hall of Blood" by
> Professo=
> r=20
> von Kramer. FRANCE: "The Witch of Eye" by Francois  Baculard D'Arnaud,
> "The=20
> Unholy Compact Abjured" by Charles Pigault-Lebrun, "The  Wandering Jew's
> Sen=
> tence"=20
> by Eugene Sue, "The Parricide Punished" by anonymous,  "Louise, or The
> Livin=
> g=20
> Spectre" by anonymous Jan Schalken's Three Wishes" by
> anonymous,  "Maredata=20
> and Giulo, or The Ocean Spirit" by anonymous, "Valdrwulf, or The Fiend  of
> t=
> he=20
> Moor" by anonymous. AMERICA: "Rip Van Winkle" by a legend, "Memoirs of =20
> Carwin, The Biloquist" by Charles Brockden Brown, "The Adventure of the
> Germ=
> an =20
> Student" by Washington Irving, "The Christmas Banquet" by Nathaniel
> Hawthorn=
> e, =20
> "The Strange Guests" by anonymous, "Hugues, the Wer-Wolf" by Sutherland
> Menz=
> ies,=20
> "The Possessed One" by anonymous, "Ben Blower's Story" by Charles
> Hoffman,=20
> "The  Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe, "Shadow, a Parable" by
> Edgar=20
> Allan  Poe.)=20
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org
>

------------------------------------------------------------
The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org