Week 7 // Decline and Fall // Evelyn Waugh

Evelyn Waugh 

Evelyn Waughs ‘Decline and Fall’ is a great piece of parody, it is an easy read a thoroughly enjoyable piece of writing, there is a lot to take from it, yet it is delivered in such a light-hearted manner. 

Paul Pennyfeather portrayed as a stereotypical, fine English gentleman who seems to just glide through life through the ups and downs without breaking a sweat, this being a way in which the author Evelyn Waugh attempts to portray English society at the time. Something which he does very well, we experience English society through the eyes of Paul.

Like most who write, the story of 'Decline and Fall' contains elements of Evelyn's own personal life, in fact Llanabba the small boy's school where Pennyfeather gets a job is said to be modelled around a school where Evelyn had a short-lived tenure, known as Arnold house Preparatory school also located in Wales. Arnold house was believed to be a 'grotesque establishment'. The success of the novel itself was a triumphal moment for struggling Evelyn Vaugh, who was victim of failed relationships and a failed academic run, taking the teaching job just to make a living. 

Decline and Fall was birthed out of a time of uncertainty in Evelyn's life so well done to him for producing a novel that has brought so much joy to those who read it. 

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