Tragic Novels, René Girard and the American Dream: Sacrifice in Suburbia
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 Girard will be of interest to those working at the intersection of philosophy and literature, as well as Girard specialists.
1134800070
Tragic Novels, René Girard and the American Dream: Sacrifice in Suburbia
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 Girard will be of interest to those working at the intersection of philosophy and literature, as well as Girard specialists.
36.85 In Stock
Tragic Novels, René Girard and the American Dream: Sacrifice in Suburbia

Tragic Novels, René Girard and the American Dream: Sacrifice in Suburbia

by Carly Osborn
Tragic Novels, René Girard and the American Dream: Sacrifice in Suburbia

Tragic Novels, René Girard and the American Dream: Sacrifice in Suburbia

by Carly Osborn

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Overview

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 Girard will be of interest to those working at the intersection of philosophy and literature, as well as Girard specialists.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781350083509
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date: 05/14/2020
Series: Violence, Desire, and the Sacred
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 216
File size: 342 KB

About the Author

Carly Osborn is a Research Fellow at the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the History of Emotions at the University of Adelaide, Australia, and Secretary of the Australian Girard Seminar.
Carly Osborn is a Research Fellow at the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the History of Emotions at the University of Adelaide, Australia, and Secretary of the Australian Girard Seminar.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: Tragedy, Girard, and the American Dream
2. The American Dream: A Mythical History
3. Textual Prologues
4. The Virgin Suicides: Unravelling Fantasies
5. The Ice Storm: Excess and Irony
6. Revolutionary Road: Plays and Failures
7. Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Index
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