Poets, Princes, and Private Citizens: Literary Alternatives to Postmodern Politics

Joseph M. Knippenberg, Peter Augustine Lawler

Rowman & Littlefield, 1996 - Literature - 310 pages

This collection of original and insightful essays was written by teachers seeking to restore literature as a powerful teaching tool in the undergraduate classroom. This book rejects postmodern theorizing, opting instead to assert that great poets, playwrights, and novelists self-consciously intended to impart compelling moral and political lessons. The essays focus on fundamental questions such as: What is justice? What does it mean to be a good human being? What are the strengths and weaknesses of a particular form of government? and, How are we to understand and resolve the tensions between private affections and public responsibilities? This is important reading for anyone concerned about the impact of postmodern literary analysis.

Contents

• Don Quixote and Christian Imperialism: 3
• Machiavellis Appropriation: 21
• Master and Man in Melvilles Benito Cereno: 41

About the author

Joseph M. Knippenberg is associate professor of politics at Oglethorpe University. Peter A. Lawler is professor of political science at Berry College.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Poets, Princes, and Private Citizens: Literary Alternatives to Postmodern Politics
• Editors: Joseph M. Knippenberg, Peter Augustine Lawler
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield, 1996
• Original from: the University of Michigan
• Digitized: Feb 28, 2008
• ISBN: 0847681998, 9780847681990
• Length: 310 pages