| Description |
1 online resource (xx, 228 pages) |
| Contents |
Introduction -- The rhetoric of confrontation -- Business as (un)usual : the immaterial economy in "The Trilogy of Desire" -- The psychology of desire : pecuniary emulation and invidious comparison in "Sister Carrie" and "An American Tragedy" -- Gender and cultural criticism : the instinct of workmanship in "Jennie Gerhardt" |
| Summary |
The works of Dreiser and Veblen make up a neglected chapter in the history of United States cultural criticism. Their central subjects (such as the myriad effects of consumer capitalism and the invidious status system) still preoccupy cultural critics, and with good reason. Veblen and Dreiser also pioneered strategies for positioning themselves as confrontational intellectuals (such as by attacking foundationalism and claims of epistemological certainty) that continue to inform the practice of many cultural critics. Thus, in both subject matter and rhetorical strategy, Dreiser’s and Veblen’s writings provide prototypes for the work that many United States scholars want to do now, work which often turns to European or postmodern theory for inspiration. In making this claim about the usefulness of Dreiser and Veblen for current intellectual work, my argument parallels recent rehabilitations of American thinkers |
| Bibliography |
Includes footnotes with bibliographic references, bibliographic references (pages 191-217), and index |
| Notes |
Print version record |
| Subject |
Dreiser, Theodore, 1871-1945 -- Political and social views
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Veblen, Thorstein, 1857-1929 -- Influence
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| SUBJECT |
Dreiser, Theodore, 1871-1945 fast |
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Veblen, Thorstein, 1857-1929 fast |
| Subject |
Literature and society -- United States -- History -- 20th century
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Social problems -- United States -- History
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Social problems in literature.
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Influence (Literary, artistic, etc.)
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Literature and society
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Political and social views
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Social problems
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Social problems in literature
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United States
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| Genre/Form |
History
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Instructional and educational works.
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Literary criticism.
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Matériel d'éducation et de formation.
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Critiques littéraires.
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| Form |
Electronic book
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| ISBN |
9780826260383 |
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0826260381 |
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