The Conscience of Humankind: Literature and Traumatic Experiences.

DOUWE FOKKEMA/IBSCH, ELRUD/JOACHIM VON DER THÜSEN [EDS.].

ISBN 10: 9042004207 / ISBN 13: 9789042004207

Published by Amsterdam-Atlanta, Rodopi. 2000, 2000

About this Item

Original publishers sewn paperback, pictorial frontcover, large - thick 8vo: [viij], 424pp., 32 contributions, footnotes/bibliographical notes, , table of contents. Very fine copy - as new. Volume 27: Textxet. Studies in Comparative Literature.

Seller Inventory # 180711

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Conscience of Humankind: Literature and Traumatic Experiences.
• Publisher: Amsterdam-Atlanta, Rodopi. 2000
• Publication Date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9042004207
• ISBN 13: 9789042004207
• Binding: Soft cover

About this title

Synopsis

The traumatic experiences of persecution and genocide have changed traditional views of literature. The discussion of historical truth versus aesthetic autonomy takes an unexpected turn when confronted with the experiences of the victims of the Holocaust, the Gulag Archipelago, the Cultural Revolution, Apartheid and other crimes against humanity. The question is whether - and, if so, to what extent - literary imagination may depart from historical truth. In general, the first reactions to traumatic historical experiences are autobiographical statements, written by witnesses of the events. However, the second and third generations, the sons and daughters of the victims as well as of the victimizers, tend to free themselves from this generic restriction and claim their own way of remembering the history of their parents and grandparents. They explore their own limits of representation, and feel free to use a variety of genres; they turn to either realist or postmodernist, ironic or grotesque modes of writing.

Review

"For those ... interested in mapping out and finding relevant contributions for such a critical area, the present volume is a "must"." in: Literary Research/Recherche Litterature, Vol. 19. Nos. 7-38, 2002