Civic Myths

A Law-and-Literature Approach to Citizenship

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism
Cover of the book Civic Myths by Brook Thomas, The University of North Carolina Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Brook Thomas ISBN: 9781469606798
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press Publication: September 1, 2012
Imprint: The University of North Carolina Press Language: English
Author: Brook Thomas
ISBN: 9781469606798
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
Publication: September 1, 2012
Imprint: The University of North Carolina Press
Language: English

As questions of citizenship generate new debates for this generation of Americans, Brook Thomas argues for revitalizing the role of literature in civic education. Thomas defines civic myths as compelling stories about national origin, membership, and values that are generated by conflicts within the concept of citizenship itself. Selected works of literature, he claims, work on these myths by challenging their terms at the same time that they work with them by relying on the power of narrative to produce compelling new stories.

Civic Myths consists of four case studies: Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter and "the good citizen"; Edward Everett Hale's "The Man without a Country" and "the patriotic citizen"; Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and "the independent citizen"; and Maxine Hong Kingston's China Men and "the immigrant citizen." Thomas also provides analysis of the civic mythology surrounding Abraham Lincoln and the case of Ex parte Milligan. Engaging current debates about civil society, civil liberties, civil rights, and immigration, Thomas draws on the complexities of law and literature to probe the complexities of U.S. citizenship.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

As questions of citizenship generate new debates for this generation of Americans, Brook Thomas argues for revitalizing the role of literature in civic education. Thomas defines civic myths as compelling stories about national origin, membership, and values that are generated by conflicts within the concept of citizenship itself. Selected works of literature, he claims, work on these myths by challenging their terms at the same time that they work with them by relying on the power of narrative to produce compelling new stories.

Civic Myths consists of four case studies: Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter and "the good citizen"; Edward Everett Hale's "The Man without a Country" and "the patriotic citizen"; Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and "the independent citizen"; and Maxine Hong Kingston's China Men and "the immigrant citizen." Thomas also provides analysis of the civic mythology surrounding Abraham Lincoln and the case of Ex parte Milligan. Engaging current debates about civil society, civil liberties, civil rights, and immigration, Thomas draws on the complexities of law and literature to probe the complexities of U.S. citizenship.

More books from The University of North Carolina Press

Cover of the book From Belloc to Churchill by Brook Thomas
Cover of the book Populist Vanguard by Brook Thomas
Cover of the book Living the Revolution by Brook Thomas
Cover of the book Cultural Contact and the Making of European Art since the Age of Exploration by Brook Thomas
Cover of the book Bioethics as Practice by Brook Thomas
Cover of the book Pressed for All Time by Brook Thomas
Cover of the book Crafting Lives by Brook Thomas
Cover of the book No Higher Law by Brook Thomas
Cover of the book Athenian Popular Religion by Brook Thomas
Cover of the book The Antietam Campaign by Brook Thomas
Cover of the book Carolina Israelite by Brook Thomas
Cover of the book Heading South to Teach by Brook Thomas
Cover of the book North Carolina Lighthouses by Brook Thomas
Cover of the book France Restored by Brook Thomas
Cover of the book Telling Histories by Brook Thomas
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy