| Tragic Novels, René Girard and the American Dream: Sacrifice in Suburbia Contributor(s): Osborn, Carly (Author), Fleming, Chris (Editor), Hodge, Joel (Editor) |
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ISBN: 1350083488 ISBN-13: 9781350083486 Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic OUR PRICE: $133.65 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: May 2020 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Philosophy | History & Surveys - Modern - Literary Criticism | Modern - 20th Century - Literary Collections | American - General |
| Series: Violence, Desire, and the Sacred |
| Physical Information: 0.56" H x 6.14" W x 9.21" (1.06 lbs) 216 pages |
| Themes: - Chronological Period - Modern - Chronological Period - 20th Century |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: This book draws on the philosopher René Girard to argue that three twentieth-century American novels (Jeffrey Eugenides's The Virgin Suicides, Rick Moody's The Ice Storm, and Richard Yates's Revolutionary Road) are tragedies. Until now, Girardian literary analysis has generally focused on representations of human desire in texts, and neglected both other emotions and the place of tragedy. Carly Osborn addresses these omissions by using Girardian theory to present evidence that novels can indeed be tragedies. The book advances the scholarship of tragedy that has run from Aristotle to Nietzsche to Terry Eagleton, proposing a new way to read modern novels through ancient traditions. In addition, this is the first work to examine the place of women as victims, or in Girardian terms, 'scapegoats', in twentieth century fiction, specifically by considering the representation of women's bodies and ambivalence about their identities. In deploying a rich and vivid array of tragic tropes, The Virgin Suicides, The Ice Storm, and Revolutionary Road participate in a deep-rooted American tragic tradition. Tragic Novels, the American Dream and René Girardwill be of interest to those working at the intersection of philosophy and literature, as well as Girard specialists. |
Contributor Bio(s): Fleming, Chris: - Chris Fleming is Senior Lecturer in Philosophy and Anthropology, School of Humanities and Languages, the University of Western Sydney, Australia. His is the author of Violence and Mimesis (2004) and is current Vice-President of the Australian Girard Seminar.Hodge, Joel: - Joel Hodge is Lecturer in Systematic Theology, School of Theology, Australian Catholic University, Australia. He is the author of Resisting Violence and Victimisation: Christian Faith and Solidarity in East Timor (2012) and is current Treasurer and Secretary of the Australian Girard Seminar.Cowdell, Scott: - Scott Cowdell is Research Associate Professor in the Centre for Public and Contextual Theology at Charles Sturt University, Australia, Canon Theologian of the Canberra-Goulburn Anglican Diocese, and Founding President of the Australian Girard Seminar. |
