From Archetype to Stereotype: a Postmodern Re–reading of the American South
Abstract: This study proposes an approach to Southern culture as a perpetually re–written/re–read text that survives by successive re–contextualizations of its fundamental patterns. Relying on fictional and non–fictional representations, the paper follows the trajectory of the plantation as an epito...
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| Language: | English |
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European Association for American Studies
2008-01-01
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| Series: | European Journal of American Studies |
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| Online Access: | https://journals.openedition.org/ejas/1693 |
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| author | Gabriela Dumbrava |
| author_facet | Gabriela Dumbrava |
| author_sort | Gabriela Dumbrava |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract: This study proposes an approach to Southern culture as a perpetually re–written/re–read text that survives by successive re–contextualizations of its fundamental patterns. Relying on fictional and non–fictional representations, the paper follows the trajectory of the plantation as an epitome of the South from the status of archetypal model to that of stereotype, showing how the latter ironically acquires the power of the former, and becomes the very source of misconceptions or simplifying perceptions. Ultimately, as we are going to show, this shift is part of the continuous process of negotiation supported by the basic human need to assimilate otherness and define ourselves in relation with it. In order to illustrate this negotiation, the paper examines a number of contemporary Southern writers, who, by re–reading/re–writing the heritage of their native region, and projecting it into new forms of expression meant to accommodate post–modern experiences, attempt to reconcile a double crisis: of their own identity against the background of their native region, and of their native region against the background of contemporary history. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e8654987490e48249a4dc5febe25c8f7 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1991-9336 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2008-01-01 |
| publisher | European Association for American Studies |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Journal of American Studies |
| spelling | doaj-art-e8654987490e48249a4dc5febe25c8f72025-01-06T09:08:50ZengEuropean Association for American StudiesEuropean Journal of American Studies1991-93362008-01-012210.4000/ejas.1693From Archetype to Stereotype: a Postmodern Re–reading of the American SouthGabriela DumbravaAbstract: This study proposes an approach to Southern culture as a perpetually re–written/re–read text that survives by successive re–contextualizations of its fundamental patterns. Relying on fictional and non–fictional representations, the paper follows the trajectory of the plantation as an epitome of the South from the status of archetypal model to that of stereotype, showing how the latter ironically acquires the power of the former, and becomes the very source of misconceptions or simplifying perceptions. Ultimately, as we are going to show, this shift is part of the continuous process of negotiation supported by the basic human need to assimilate otherness and define ourselves in relation with it. In order to illustrate this negotiation, the paper examines a number of contemporary Southern writers, who, by re–reading/re–writing the heritage of their native region, and projecting it into new forms of expression meant to accommodate post–modern experiences, attempt to reconcile a double crisis: of their own identity against the background of their native region, and of their native region against the background of contemporary history.https://journals.openedition.org/ejas/1693Keywords: the Southarchetypestereotypere–readingre–writingre–contextualization |
| spellingShingle | Gabriela Dumbrava From Archetype to Stereotype: a Postmodern Re–reading of the American South European Journal of American Studies Keywords: the South archetype stereotype re–reading re–writing re–contextualization |
| title | From Archetype to Stereotype: a Postmodern Re–reading of the American South |
| title_full | From Archetype to Stereotype: a Postmodern Re–reading of the American South |
| title_fullStr | From Archetype to Stereotype: a Postmodern Re–reading of the American South |
| title_full_unstemmed | From Archetype to Stereotype: a Postmodern Re–reading of the American South |
| title_short | From Archetype to Stereotype: a Postmodern Re–reading of the American South |
| title_sort | from archetype to stereotype a postmodern re reading of the american south |
| topic | Keywords: the South archetype stereotype re–reading re–writing re–contextualization |
| url | https://journals.openedition.org/ejas/1693 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT gabrieladumbrava fromarchetypetostereotypeapostmodernrereadingoftheamericansouth |