There are many people who deserve my thanks and acknowledgment. First, I want to thank my advisor Alice Calderonello, whose guidance and encouragement helped me shape and realize this work. I want to thank Tim Pogacar, Tom Klein, Alberto Gonzalez, and Bruce Edwards for their support, suggestions, and criticisms. I'd like to express additional thanks to Dr. Edwards, who, in his role as Director of Graduate Studies in the English Department, recruited me into Bowling Green's program and was always supportive of my endeavors.
My colleagues John Clark, William Hart-Davidson, and Jonathon Mauk all read portions of this dissertation when it was in draft form and I want to thank them for their helpful comments. I am in great debt to the hundreds of participants on Internet listservs such as the "ACW-L" list whom I consider colleagues and friends. But most importantly, I want to thank my loving wife and fellow doctoral student, Annette Wannamaker. She has been my best and most critical reader, my greatest support, and my constant inspiration.