EARLY TWENTIETH CENTURY LANGUAGE IS OUT OF FASHION.

EARLY TWENTIETH CENTURY LANGUAGE IS OUT OF FASHION. O. Henry is not the only writer who suffers because the vernacular of early twentieth century America is out of fashion. Eugene O’Neill’s language is harshly criticized. I think that his use of the slang of his day makes him particularly vulnerable. Booth Tarkington is another example. Ring Lardner escapes only because certain of his phrases are treasured, especially, “Shut up, he explained.” Damon Runyan is an exception because his language is so stylized.