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The Red Glutton With the German Army at the Front
About the Book
“The Red Glutton” by Irvin Cobb is a humorous and satirical short story that delves into themes of gluttony and excess. Set in a Southern context, the story features a character whose insatiable appetite for food becomes the central focus of the narrative.
The protagonist, known for his excessive eating habits, is depicted in an exaggerated and absurd manner, highlighting the comedic elements of the story. Cobb uses this character study to offer social commentary on issues of greed and indulgence.
The story combines elements of American humor and Southern fiction, using satire to critique the absurdities of extreme gluttony and its implications. Through witty and engaging storytelling, Cobb crafts a narrative that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, addressing themes of excess in a way that resonates with readers.
Cobb provides a satirical commentary on human nature and societal norms related to consumption and excess. The narrative illustrates how the pursuit of pleasure through food can lead to absurd and socially disruptive consequences, offering readers a blend of humor and insight into the nature of indulgence and the story reveals how the character's obsession with eating affects his interactions and perceptions.
Shrewsbury, Irvin Cobb (June 23, 1876 – March 11, 1944) was a Paducah, Kentucky-born author, humorist, editor, and columnist who moved to New York in 1904 and lived there for the rest of his life. As the highest-paid staff reporter in the United States, he worked for Joseph Pulitzer's newspaper, the New York World. Cobb also published almost 60 books and 300 short tales. Some of his works were made into silent films. Several of his Judge Priest short stories were adapted for two feature films directed by John Ford in the 1930s. Cobb was the second of four children born in Paducah, Kentucky, to Kentucky natives. Reuben Saunders, M.D., is credited with finding in 1873 that injections of morphine-atropine were effective in treating cholera. Cobb grew up in Paducah, and many of his later works were inspired by events and people from his upbringing. Cobb was afterwards dubbed the “Duke of Paducah.” Cobb attended public and private elementary schools, before, enrolling in William A. Cade's Academy to study law. Cobb's father became an alcoholic when he was 16, following the death of his grandfather. Cobb began his writing career, after, being forced to drop out of school and find jobs.
