Cultural Stereotypes- From Dracula's Myth to Contemporary Diasporic Productions

ISBN-13: 9783836434461 / Angielski / Miękka / 2007 / 96 str.

Ileana Popa Baird

Opis

This book is focused on a highly topical theme which aims at investigating aremarkable phenomenon of identity-shaping and cross-cultural exchange.Starting from an analysis of Dracula as the epitomized image of the Balkans(and of Romania, more specifically) abroad, it provides a comprehensivehistorical and (con)textual investigation of the myth, enlarged to incorporateit into the fictions of exile, and to draw the readers attention to the"demonic" dimension of the Balkan area in general, and the Romanian areain particular. By redefining the notion of cultural stereotypes, undertsood asstereotypes impressed upon us through a cultural channel (books, movies,cartoons, computer networks, musicals, etc.), this study points to the factthat they depict a movement in double direction: not only do culturesgenerate their own stereotypes, but they also perpetuate the stereotypescreated by the "significant Other," urging us to reconsider categories such as"central" and "marginal" from a more complex perspective. The book isaddressed to students and scholars with an interest in South-Eastern Europeand transatlantic encounters, diasporic, postcolonial and cultural studies, aswell as to researchers in Sociology, History, Globalization and Ethnic Studies.Given the interest of the theme and the accesibility of the material presented,it is also directed to the larger reading public.