Ideology

ISBN-13: 9780333775387 / Angielski / Miękka / 2003 / 195 str.

J Decker

Opis

This concise introduction to the concept of ideology provides an overview of the term and considers its impact on literary theory. James M. Decker analyses the history of Western ideology from its pre-Enlightenment roots to its current incarnations, providing readers with both an essential overview of key terms and issues and a thoughtful assessment of some of the important critical thinkers associated with the notion, including Marx, Gramsci and Althusser. Close readings of key texts, ranging from Toni Morrison's Sula to William Faulkner's "Barn Burning," demonstrate the impact of ideology on critical practice and literary reputation.

Spis treści

General Editor's Preface.- Acknowledgements.- PART I: THEORY AND TERMINOLOGY.- Introduction to 'Ideology'.- Ideology and the Paradox of Subjectivity.- Ideology and Institutional Ideology.- Political Ideology.- PART II: 'READING' IDEOLOGY.- Toni Morrison's Sula and Subjective Ideology.- William Faulkner's Barn Burning and Institutional Ideology.- George Orwell's 1984 and Political Ideology.- PART III: CONCLUSION.- The 'Post-Ideological' Era?.- Notes.- Annotated Bibliography.- Bibliography.- Index.

O autorze

JAMES M. DECKER is Associate Professor of English at The Franciscan University.

Blurb

This concise introduction to the concept of ideology provides an overview of the term and considers its impact on literary theory. James M. Decker analyzes the history of Western ideology from its pre-Enlightenment roots to its current incarnations, providing readers with both an essential overview of key terms and issues and a thoughtful assessment of some of the important critical thinkers associated with the notion, including Marx, Gramsci and Althusser.

Ideological theories are introduced within three broad categories - the subjective, the institutional and the political - which helps students to synthesize a concept that sprawls across the traditional disciplinary lines of philosophy, politics, economics, history and cultural and literary studies.

Close readings of key texts demonstrate the impact of ideology on critical practice and literary reputation. Texts include:
- Toni Morrison's Sula
- William Faulkner's 'Barn Burning'
- George Orwell's 1984

Compact and easy-to-follow, Decker's study finally asks: are we now in a 'post-ideological' era?