Exploring the intersection of legal thought and practice with literature, this book analyzes significant fictions from antebellum America. It delves into how legal concepts influenced the narratives and themes of the time, offering a unique perspective on the era's literary landscape. Through this lens, the work uncovers deeper meanings and societal reflections embedded in the fiction of the period.
The book explores the intersection of literature and civic education, emphasizing the importance of literary works in shaping and challenging civic myths related to citizenship. Brook Thomas argues that compelling narratives can redefine national identity and values by engaging with and questioning existing conflicts surrounding citizenship. Through selected literary examples, he illustrates how stories can both confront and reinforce these myths, ultimately enriching the discourse on citizenship for contemporary Americans.
In this groundbreaking study, the author explores the imaginative possibilities for addressing racial injustices that have yet to be realized. By examining the current state of racial issues, the work challenges readers to envision innovative solutions and remedies, emphasizing the need for creative thinking in the pursuit of equity and justice.
Literatures written in English frequently intersect with or engage the history of civil rights and civil liberties. From portrayals of Sir Thomas More’s assassination to Orwell’s depiction of a world devoid of civil liberties in 1984. From Milton’s 'Areopagitica' to Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. From Thoreau to Ghandi to Martin Luther King, Jr. From responses to the Alien and Sedition Acts to responses to the Patriot Act. From the works of Nadine Gordimer to those of Wole Soyinka. The 2006 volume of REAL solicits essays devoted to this topic, which examine: (1) literary representations of disputes and debates about civil rights and civil liberties; (2) how those disputes and debates have affected and shaped various works, from choice of subject matter to cases of censorship; and (3) rhetorical and metaphorical analysis of those disputes and debates and how they are staged.