THEODORE PRATT: THE FLORIDA TRILOGY ("THE BAREFOOT MAILMAN," "THE FLAME TREE," AND "THE BIG BUBBLE")
Date of Award
1978
Document Type
Thesis
Publication Status
Version of Record
Submission Date
October 2026
Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]
Coyle, William
Abstract
In the Florida trilogy, Theodore Pratt depicts the changes in Southeast Florida that turned a Garden-of-Eden wilderness into the American Riviera. The history of the area from 1887 to 1926 is told in terms of historical figures who typify the people of the time or were most influential in "civilizing" the area. Pratt's meticulous research and historical accuracy resulted in three novels--The Barefoot Mailman, The Flame Tree, and The Big Bubble--which are flawed by stereotyped characters and plots and by his awkward writing style; nevertheless, the novels are a contribution to literature because Pratt was the first to popularize the area's history. In addition, they present for the first time a unified exploration of the legend of Florida as the Garden of Eden which was destroyed by the corrupting influence of land speculators and developers.
Extent
127 p.
Recommended Citation
MONTAGUE, MARGARET ESTHER NEWMAN, "THEODORE PRATT: THE FLORIDA TRILOGY ("THE BAREFOOT MAILMAN," "THE FLAME TREE," AND "THE BIG BUBBLE")" (1978). Electronic Theses and Dissertations 1970 - 1979. 662.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_general_2/662
Identifier
FADT13920
Comments
Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters|Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1978.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters