The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum: Materiality, Trauma, and the Comfort of Catharsis.

  • Published In: Western Journal of Communication, 2024, v. 88, n. 4. P. 782 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Whittenburg, Cari 3 of 3

Abstract

This essay analyzes the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, focusing on embodied material simulation. I argue that the museum constructs an idealized Oklahoman citizen who works to curb anxieties surrounding domestic threats. The museum mobilizes ideal citizenship through its affective storytelling that functions to traumatize visitors to establish catharsis, which in turn invites visitors to place the blame of domestic terrorism solely on Timothy McVeigh. The rhetorical act of catharsis stunts the community's ability to challenge the rise of domestic terrorism that has been plaguing the United States long after the Oklahoma City bombing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additional Information

  • Source:Western Journal of Communication. 2024/07, Vol. 88, Issue 4, p782
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Drama and Theater Arts
  • Publication Date:2024
  • ISSN:1057-0314
  • DOI:10.1080/10570314.2023.2183479
  • Accession Number:178089631
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Western Journal of Communication is the property of Western States Communication Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Looking to go deeper into this topic? Look for more articles on EBSCOhost.