Heroes, Villains, and Fools

The Changing American Character

Nonfiction, History, Americas
Cover of the book Heroes, Villains, and Fools by Orrin E. Klapp, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Orrin E. Klapp ISBN: 9781351515825
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: September 8, 2017
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Orrin E. Klapp
ISBN: 9781351515825
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: September 8, 2017
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

This volume presents three major social types in American society-heroes, villains, and fools-as models for American behaviour. Approaching these models primarily through language, Orrin E. Klapp explores what they may suggest about Americans as a people. Rather than study people, the author describes abstract types named and embedded in popular language. These social types are important symbols; and a way to attack a symbol is by identifying its meaning in various contexts. He further argues that the language surrounding heroes, villains, and fools reveals a social structure. We may not escape being ascribed a type, but we do have a choice of type. Known more commonly as "finding oneself," we can manipulate cues-with dress, facial expressions, style of life, or conspicuous public roles-to build an identity. This classic study has serious contemporary implications. For a public figure, an inevitable result of the typing process is the development of at least two selves, the public and the private. When the book originally appeared in 1962, the struggle to balance two images generally only plagued celebrities and politicians. Today, social media offers everyone the opportunity to develop an online persona. This volume will be of interest to sociologists as well as anyone who has a Facebook account.

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

This volume presents three major social types in American society-heroes, villains, and fools-as models for American behaviour. Approaching these models primarily through language, Orrin E. Klapp explores what they may suggest about Americans as a people. Rather than study people, the author describes abstract types named and embedded in popular language. These social types are important symbols; and a way to attack a symbol is by identifying its meaning in various contexts. He further argues that the language surrounding heroes, villains, and fools reveals a social structure. We may not escape being ascribed a type, but we do have a choice of type. Known more commonly as "finding oneself," we can manipulate cues-with dress, facial expressions, style of life, or conspicuous public roles-to build an identity. This classic study has serious contemporary implications. For a public figure, an inevitable result of the typing process is the development of at least two selves, the public and the private. When the book originally appeared in 1962, the struggle to balance two images generally only plagued celebrities and politicians. Today, social media offers everyone the opportunity to develop an online persona. This volume will be of interest to sociologists as well as anyone who has a Facebook account.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book The Identity in Question by Orrin E. Klapp
Cover of the book The Global Business Handbook by Orrin E. Klapp
Cover of the book Mobile-First Journalism by Orrin E. Klapp
Cover of the book Faith by Orrin E. Klapp
Cover of the book Gender Development by Orrin E. Klapp
Cover of the book Supporting pupils on the Autism Spectrum in Secondary Schools by Orrin E. Klapp
Cover of the book Management in South Korea Revisited by Orrin E. Klapp
Cover of the book Revival: Melanesians of the South-East Solomon Islands (1927) by Orrin E. Klapp
Cover of the book Unravelling Liberal Interventionism by Orrin E. Klapp
Cover of the book The Routledge Handbook of Material Culture in Early Modern Europe by Orrin E. Klapp
Cover of the book Explorations in Daoism by Orrin E. Klapp
Cover of the book Saudi Arabia in a Multipolar World by Orrin E. Klapp
Cover of the book Language Competence Across Populations by Orrin E. Klapp
Cover of the book Making Law and Courts Research Relevant by Orrin E. Klapp
Cover of the book The Architect's Guide to Running a Practice by Orrin E. Klapp
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