JOURNAL ARTICLE

Performing Gender in the Bleeding Kansas Novels of Jane Smiley and James McBride.

  • Published In: Western American Literature, 2024, v. 58, n. 4. P. 325 1 of 3

  • Database: America: History and Life with Full Text 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Abele, Elizabeth 3 of 3

Abstract

This article discusses two novels, "The Good Lord Bird" by James McBride and "The All-True Travels and Adventures of Lidie Newton" by Jane Smiley, which delve into the historical period of Bleeding Kansas in the 1850s. The novels use humor and intertextuality to explore the complexities of this era, including slavery, racism, and violence. They challenge traditional narratives and shed light on the flaws and limitations of historical figures like John Brown and Frederick Douglass. The authors suggest that the violence and polarization of the time hindered progress and advocate for a more radical approach to achieve lasting change. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Western American Literature. 2024/01, Vol. 58, Issue 4, p325
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:History
  • Publication Date:2024
  • ISSN:0043-3462
  • DOI:10.1353/wal.2024.a924878
  • Accession Number:176684744
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Western American Literature is the property of Western Literature 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.)

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