Treacherous Texts: U.S. Suffrage Literature, 1846-1946
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Author Description
Treacherous Texts collects more than sixty literary texts written by smart, savvy writers who experimented with genre, aesthetics, humor, and sex appeal in an effort to persuade American readers to support woman suffrage. Although the suffrage campaign is often associated in popular memory with oratory, this anthology affirms that suffragists recognized early on that literature could also exert a power to move readers to imagine new roles for women in the public sphere. Uncovering startling affinities between popular literature and propaganda, Treacherous Texts samples a rich, decades-long tradition of suffrage literature created by writers from diverse racial, class, and regional backgrounds. Beginning with sentimental fiction and polemic, progressing through modernist and middlebrow experiments, and concluding with post-ratification memoirs and tributes, this anthology showcases lost and neglected fiction, poetry, drama, literary journalism, and autobiography; it also samples innovative print cultural forms devised for the campaign, such as valentines, banners, and cartoons. Featured writers include canonical figures as well as writers popular in their day but, until now, lost to ours. Includes writings by: * Sojourner Truth * Elizabeth Cady Stanton * Frederick Douglass * Fanny Fern * Harriet Beecher Stowe * Djuna Barnes * Charlotte Perkins Gilman * Marianne Moore * Sui Sin Far * Edna St. Vincent Millay * Gertrude Stein And many others.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This anthology investigates the diverse literary landscape of the U.S. suffrage movement, revealing how writers utilized various genres and aesthetic strategies to advocate for women's right to vote. It moves beyond the traditional perception of suffrage campaigns as solely oratorical, demonstrating the profound impact of literature in shaping public opinion and imagining new societal roles for women. The collection spans a century of activism, from 1846 to 1946, showcasing a rich tradition of suffrage literature created by authors from varied racial, class, and regional backgrounds. By unearthing neglected works and innovative print forms, the book highlights the intricate connection between popular literature and political propaganda.
THE SCOPE MAP
- A collection of over sixty literary texts from the U.S. suffrage movement (1846-1946).
- Exploration of genre experimentation, aesthetics, humor, and sex appeal in persuasive suffrage writing.
- Analysis of the power of literature, beyond oratory, to influence readers and envision new roles for women.
- Sampling of diverse literary forms including sentimental fiction, polemic, modernist and middlebrow experiments, memoirs, poetry, drama, literary journalism, and autobiography.
- Inclusion of innovative print cultural forms such as valentines, banners, and cartoons.
- Features writings by canonical figures and popular but previously neglected authors.
- Representation of writers from diverse racial, class, and regional backgrounds.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
This anthology is recognized for its comprehensive recovery of neglected literary works central to the U.S. suffrage movement. It effectively demonstrates how suffragists leveraged a wide array of literary techniques and genres to advance their cause, moving beyond the common association with public speaking. The collection's strength lies in its broad scope, spanning a century and encompassing diverse voices and print forms, thereby illuminating the complex relationship between literature and political activism. It serves as a valuable resource for understanding the multifaceted strategies employed in the fight for women's enfranchisement.
Page Count:
334
Publication Date:
2012-01-01
Publisher:
Rutgers University Press
ISBN-10:
0813553539
ISBN-13:
9780813553535
History
Non-Fiction
Literature
Social History
American
Feminism
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