A New Monroe Doctrine by Oliver Herford
The work critiques the trend of naming American cities after ancient and foreign places, suggesting that such names carry negative historical connotations. It humorously proposes that instead of adopting these names, cities should be named after diseases, which the author argues have more appealing and euphonious qualities. The text explores the absurdity of this idea, presenting various fictional city names derived from medical terminology, such as Dyspepsia and Neurasthenia, and highlights their potential charm. The author advocates for a fresh approach to naming, emphasizing the importance of originality and the rejection of outdated traditions. The piece serves as a satirical commentary on cultural identity and the significance of names in shaping perceptions of place.
By Oliver Herford · First published 1912 · Genre: Satire, Political Commentary, Humor · 558 words
First lines
When Old Doctor Monroe discovered and patented his famous / anti-monarchical specific, warranted to prevent the spread of Effete / Despotism, Imperialitis and Throne Trouble, why didn't he invent some / equally Reliable Nostrum to check the epidemic of Old World names that / was spreading like a blight of infantile paralysis among the thousands of / husky young cities then springing up all over the United States? Rome, / Syracuse, Troy, Thebes, Memphis, Ithaca, and a host of others, names dark / and ill ominous to chubby young cities with no evil traditions to live / down to, staining their bright banners with bloody blots and black bars / of sinister tradition where should only be the golden stars and crimson / bars of freedom.
What this Textopian page supports
A New Monroe Doctrine is listed on Textopian as a short story by Oliver Herford, dated 1912 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Oliver Herford
- Date: 1912 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Political Commentary, Humor, Essay, Social Critique
- Length: 558 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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- Work identity for A New Monroe Doctrine by Oliver Herford
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
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Genres
- Satire — The book employs humor and irony to critique the naming conventions of American cities, reflecting societal attitudes.
- Political Commentary — It addresses themes of nationalism and identity through the lens of city naming, invoking the historical Monroe Doctrine.
- Humor — The writing style is light-hearted and playful, using absurdity to entertain while making a point.
- Essay — The work presents a structured argument about the significance of names in a broader cultural context.
Tags
American Politics · Diplomacy · Foreign Policy · International Relations · Monroe Doctrine · US History · Geopolitics · Global Governance · Nationalism · Imperialism · Colonialism · Sovereignty