Synopses & Reviews
Review
"Subtitled 'The American Need for Beginnings,' Parables of Possibility examines canonical and popular texts that illuminate American culture's unique fascination with beginnings. Martin begins his study with a carefully researched exploration of what he calls the process of 'rhetorical negation'—how Americans define themselves and their country by what America does not have. He proceeds to trace the history of what seems almost a truism—that Americans are thrilled by clean slates and endless possibility. His detailed analysis of the significance of this phenomenon is important precisely because we have come to take it as an unexamined fact that America loves beginnings. While Martin's interdisciplinary approach yields fruitful results, only those diligent enough to read the entire book will be able to truly appreciate them. Martin's vague chapter titles make it nearly impossible to read just parts of his argument. This is particularly unfortunate since he tends to go on too long about some topics and texts that hold less interest for the reader than, say, his discussion of Charlotte Perkins Gilman'sHerland or Melville's Moby Dick." Reviewed by Daniel Weiss, Virginia Quarterly Review (Copyright 2006 Virginia Quarterly Review)
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. [221]-247) and index.