Synopses & Reviews
David Richards examines historical anthropological discourse--specifically writings about and depictions of "savage" peoples by conquering races--as a form of textual practice. Masks of Difference provides detailed readings of individual representations, both artistic and literary, of colonization, including Florida (1564-90) and Scotland (1814), together with extended surveys. What emerges is a composite picture of anthropological representation as a textual genre in its own right, embracing literature, literary theory and colonial/postcolonial studies.
Synopsis
Anthropological representation emerges as a textual genre from this examination of historical anthropological discourse--specifically writings about and depictions of "savage" peoples by conquering races. The text embraces literature, literary theory and colonial/postcolonial studies.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 320-339) and index.
Table of Contents
Introduction; 1. The satyr anatomised: Venice 1570; 2. Identity and its others: Florida 1564-91; 3. The lovers of Paramaribo: Surinam 1663-1777; 4. Making history: Scotland 1814; 5. 'Do they eat their enemies or their friends?' Cambridge and Bugunda 1887-1932; 6. Causes célèbres in the myths of modernism: Melanesia and Brazil 1895-1970; 7. Third eye/evil eye; 8. Different masks; 9. Masks of difference; Notes; Index.