Nothing is "pure" in America, and, indeed, the rich ethnic mix that
constitutes our society accounts for much of its amazing vitality.
Werner Sollors's new book takes a wide-ranging look at the role of
"ethnicity" in American literature and what that literature has
said--and continues to say--about our diverse culture. Ethnic
consciousness, he contends, is a constituent feature of modernism,
not modernism's antithesis.
Discussing works from every period of American history, Sollors
focuses particularly on the tension between "descent" and
"consent"--between the concern for one's racial, ethnic, and
familial heritage and the conflicting desire to choose one's own
destiny, even if that choice goes against one's heritage. Some of
the stories Sollors examines are retellings of the biblical
Exodus--stories in which Americans of the most diverse origins have
painted their own histories as an escape from bondage or a search
for a new Canaan. Other stories are "American-made" tales of
melting-pot romance, which may either triumph in intermarriage,
accompanied by new world symphonies, or end with the lovers' death.
Still other stories concern voyages of self-discovery in which the
hero attempts to steer a perilous course between stubborn
traditionalism and total assimilation. And then there are the
generational sagas, in which, as if by magic, the third generation
emerges as the fulfillment of their forebears' dream.
Citing examples that range from the writings of Cotton Mather to
Liquid Sky (a "post-punk" science fiction film directed by a
Russian emigre), Sollors shows how the creators of American culture
have generally been attracted to what is most new and modern.
A provocative and original look at "ethnicity" in American
literature
.Covers stories from all periods of our nation's history
.Relates ethnic literature to the principle of literary
modernism
."Grave and hilarious, tender and merciless...The book performs a
public service."-Quentin Anderson"
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
