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The School Study Guide
Donald Barthelme (1931-1989) was an influential American writer known for his innovative and often surrealist approach to fiction. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he grew up in Houston, Texas, where his father was an architect and a prominent figure in modernist design. Barthelme attended the University of Houston but did not complete his degree. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, after which he worked as a journalist, editor, and director of the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston.
Barthelme's writing career flourished in the 1960s and 1970s. He became a key figure in the postmodern literary movement, known for his short stories that often employed a fragmented, collage-like style. His work frequently appeared in The New Yorker, and he published several collections of short stories, including "Come Back, Dr. Caligari" (1964), "City Life" (1970), and "Sixty Stories" (1981). Barthelme's stories are characterized by their wit, irony, and playful experimentation with language and narrative form.
Historical and Literary Context for "The School"
"The School" is one of Barthelme's most famous short stories, originally published in The New Yorker in 1974 and later included in his collection "Sixty Stories." The story is a prime example of Barthelme's postmodern style, featuring absurdist elements, dark humor, and a minimalist approach to storytelling.
Set in a seemingly typical elementary school, "The School" follows a series of increasingly bizarre and tragic events narrated by a teacher named Edgar. The story's darkly comic tone and escalating list of deaths—ranging from classroom plants to the students' pets, and even to the children themselves—highlight the absurdity and randomness of life and death.
Barthelme wrote during a time of significant social and cultural upheaval in the United States, including the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War, and the Watergate scandal. These events influenced the themes of uncertainty, existential dread, and skepticism toward traditional narratives and authority, which are evident in his work.
Literarily, Barthelme drew from a variety of influences, including modernist writers like James Joyce and Franz Kafka, as well as contemporary postmodernists such as John Barth and Thomas Pynchon. "The School" reflects Barthelme's fascination with the absurdities of modern life and his ability to blend humor with profound existential questions.
By challenging conventional storytelling and exploring the chaos and unpredictability of existence, Barthelme's "The School" remains a poignant and thought-provoking piece within the canon of American literature.
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