Representations of Anne Frank in American Literature

Stories in New Ways

Nonfiction, History, Jewish, Holocaust, Military, World War II, Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism
Cover of the book Representations of Anne Frank in American Literature by Rachael McLennan, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Rachael McLennan ISBN: 9781317932598
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: August 5, 2016
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Rachael McLennan
ISBN: 9781317932598
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: August 5, 2016
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

This book explores portrayals of Anne Frank in American literature, where she is often invoked, if problematically, as a means of encouraging readers to think widely about persecution, genocide, and victimisation; often in relation to gender, ethnicity, and race. It shows how literary representations of Anne Frank in America over the past 50 years reflect the continued dominance of the American dramatic adaptations of Frank’s Diary in the 1950s, and argues that authors feel compelled to engage with the problematic elements of these adaptations and their iconic power. At the same time, though, literary representations of Frank are associated with the adaptations; critics often assume that these texts unquestioningly perpetuate the problems with the adaptations. This is not true. This book examines how American authors represent Frank in order to negotiate difficult questions relating to representation of the Holocaust in America, and in order to consider gender, coming of age, and forms of inequality in American culture in various historical moments; and of course, to consider the ways Frank herself is represented in America. This book argues that the most compelling representations of Frank in American literature are alert to their own limitations, and may caution against making Frank a universal symbol of goodness or setting up too easy identifications with her. It will be of great interest to researchers and students of Frank, the Holocaust in American fiction and culture, gender studies, life writing, young adult fiction, and ethics.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This book explores portrayals of Anne Frank in American literature, where she is often invoked, if problematically, as a means of encouraging readers to think widely about persecution, genocide, and victimisation; often in relation to gender, ethnicity, and race. It shows how literary representations of Anne Frank in America over the past 50 years reflect the continued dominance of the American dramatic adaptations of Frank’s Diary in the 1950s, and argues that authors feel compelled to engage with the problematic elements of these adaptations and their iconic power. At the same time, though, literary representations of Frank are associated with the adaptations; critics often assume that these texts unquestioningly perpetuate the problems with the adaptations. This is not true. This book examines how American authors represent Frank in order to negotiate difficult questions relating to representation of the Holocaust in America, and in order to consider gender, coming of age, and forms of inequality in American culture in various historical moments; and of course, to consider the ways Frank herself is represented in America. This book argues that the most compelling representations of Frank in American literature are alert to their own limitations, and may caution against making Frank a universal symbol of goodness or setting up too easy identifications with her. It will be of great interest to researchers and students of Frank, the Holocaust in American fiction and culture, gender studies, life writing, young adult fiction, and ethics.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Reconceptualising Agency and Childhood by Rachael McLennan
Cover of the book Reaffirming Legal Ethics by Rachael McLennan
Cover of the book On the History of Economic Thought by Rachael McLennan
Cover of the book Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders by Rachael McLennan
Cover of the book Laughing Matters by Rachael McLennan
Cover of the book Arab Culture and the Novel by Rachael McLennan
Cover of the book What Painting Is by Rachael McLennan
Cover of the book Business-to-Business by Rachael McLennan
Cover of the book Bereavement by Rachael McLennan
Cover of the book De-Radicalisation in the UK Prevent Strategy by Rachael McLennan
Cover of the book Better Behaviour in Classrooms by Rachael McLennan
Cover of the book Private Sector Involvement in the Euro by Rachael McLennan
Cover of the book Schnittke Studies by Rachael McLennan
Cover of the book Organization Stability and Process by Rachael McLennan
Cover of the book Managing Regional Energy Vulnerabilities in East Asia by Rachael McLennan
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy