A Nobody Throughout the Ages: Aspects of Intertextuality in the History of Mr. Pooter

Seminar paper from the year 2009 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 2,0, Ruhr-University of Bochum (Englisches Seminar), course: Real and Fictitious Diaries: from Samuel Pepys to Briget Jones, language: English, abstract: The paper deals with the enduring popularity of an almost forgotten British classic character. A detailed analysis of the character of Charles Pooter from George and Weedon Grossmith’s 19th century comic masterpiece The Diary of a Nobody is followed by brief thoughts concerning his popularity with the British public. Moreover, 20th century counterparts to the eponymous Nobody are considered, ranging from former Prime Minister John Major to Sue Townshend’s Adrian Mole.