Mania for freedom : American literatures of enthusiasm from the Revolution to the Civil War /
In this study of literature in antebellum America, John Mac Kilgore argues that a distinct rhetorical tradition of enthusiasm emerged as a form of political dissent. This was literature written to confront normative values, to respond to critical injustice and to incite revolt, if not broad change....
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| Format: | Book |
| Language: | English |
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Chapel Hill :
University of North Carolina Press,
[2016]
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| Summary: | In this study of literature in antebellum America, John Mac Kilgore argues that a distinct rhetorical tradition of enthusiasm emerged as a form of political dissent. This was literature written to confront normative values, to respond to critical injustice and to incite revolt, if not broad change. Literary enthusiasm came to signify a particular form of protest among marginalized groups, including commoners, slaves, immigrants, Native Americans, women and abolitionists. These dissenting voices, these enthusiasts, fought against what they viewed as tyranny while using their writings to forge international or anti-nationalistic political affiliations. |
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| Physical Description: | xi, 284 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| ISBN: | 9781469629711 1469629712 9781469629728 1469629720 |