ABSTRACT
Taking a thematic approach, this new companion provides an interdisciplinary, cross-cultural, and international study of American literary journalism.
From the work of Frederick Douglass and Walt Whitman to that of Joan Didion and Dorothy Parker, literary journalism is a genre that both reveals and shapes American history and identity. This volume not only calls attention to literary journalism as a distinctive genre but also provides a critical foundation for future scholarship. It brings together cutting-edge research from literary journalism scholars, examining historical perspectives; themes, venues, and genres across time; theoretical approaches and disciplinary intersections; and new directions for scholarly inquiry.
Provoking reconsideration and inquiry, while providing new historical interpretations, this companion recognizes, interacts with, and honors the tradition and legacies of American literary journalism scholarship. Engaging the work of disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, African American studies, gender studies, visual studies, media studies, and American studies, in addition to journalism and literary studies, this book is perfect for students and scholars of those disciplines.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part I|2 pages
Historical Perspectives
chapter 1|11 pages
From the Boston News-Letter to the “Couranteers”
chapter 3|13 pages
Literary Journalism in Transition
chapter 8|20 pages
“Feel the Fact”
chapter 9|19 pages
Performative Criticism and the Problem of Modernist Chic
chapter 11|20 pages
Eternal Present Tense
part II|2 pages
Themes, Venues, and Genres across Time
chapter 16|21 pages
Of Troops and Tropes
part III|2 pages
Theorizing American Literary Journalism
part IV|2 pages
New Directions for Scholarly Inquiry