Dirty Words in Deadwood: Literature and the Postwestern (Postwestern Horizons)

Dirty Words in “Deadwood” showcases literary analyses of the Deadwood television series by leading western American literary critics. Whereas previous reaction to the series has largely addressed the question of historical accuracy rather than intertextuality or literary complexity, Melody Graulich and Nicolas S. Witschi’s edited volume brings a much-needed perspective to Deadwood ’s representation of the frontier West. As Graulich observes in her introduction: “With its emotional coherence, compelling characterizations, compressed structural brilliance, moral ambiguity, language experiments, interpretation of the past, relevance to the present, and engagement with its literary forebears, Deadwood is an aesthetic triumph as historical fiction and, like much great literature, makes a case for the humanistic value of storytelling.” From previously unpublished interviews with series creator David Milch to explorations of sexuality, disability, cinematic technique, and western narrative, this collection focuses on Deadwood as a series ultimately about the imagination, as a verbal and visual construct, and as a literary masterpiece that richly rewards close analysis and interpretation.

Dirty Words in "Deadwood" showcases literary analyses of theDeadwood television series by leading western American literary critics. Whereas previous reaction to the series has largely addressed the question of historical accuracy rather than intertextuality or literary complexity, Melody Graulich and Nicolas S. Witschi's edited volume brings a much-needed perspective toDeadwood's representation of the frontier West.

As Graulich observes in her introduction: "With its emotional coherence, compelling characterizations, compressed structural brilliance, moral ambiguity, language experiments, interpretation of the past, relevance to the present, and engagement with its literary forebears,Deadwood is an aesthetic triumph as historical fiction and, like much great literature, makes a case for the humanistic value of storytelling." From previously unpublished interviews with series creator David Milch to explorations of sexuality, disability, cinematic technique, and western narrative, this collection focuses onDeadwood as a series ultimately about the imagination, as a verbal and visual construct, and as a literary masterpiece that richly rewards close analysis and interpretation This book showcases literary analyses of the Deadwood television series by leading western American literary critics. Whereas previous reaction to the series has largely addressed the question of historical accuracy rather than intertextuality or literary complexity, this volume brings a much-needed perspective to Deadwood's representation of the frontier West. As Graulich observes in the introduction: "With its emotional coherence, compelling characterizations, compressed structural brilliance, moral ambiguity, language experiments, interpretation of the past, relevance to the present, and engagement with its literary forebears, Deadwood is an aesthetic triumph as historical fiction and, like much great literature, makes a case for the humanistic value of storytelling." From previously unpublished interviews with series creator David Milch to explorations of sexuality, disability, cinematic technique, and western narrative, this collection focuses on Deadwood as a series ultimately about the imagination, as a verbal and visual construct, and as a literary masterpiece that rewards close analysis and interpretation Introduction: Deadwood's Barbaric Yawp: Sharing A Literary Heritage / Melody Graulich -- Deadwood Episodes -- Deadwood Cast -- David Milch At Yale: An Interview / Nathaniel Lewis -- Last Words In Deadwood / Brian Mccuskey -- The Thinking Of Al Swearengen's Body: Kidney Stones, Pigpens, And Burkean Catharsis In Deadwood / Tim Steckline -- Land Of Oblivion: Abjection, Broken Bodies, And The Western Narrative In Deadwood / John Dudley -- The Final Stamp: Deadwood And The Gothic American Frontier / Wendy Witherspoon -- Down These Mean Streets: Film Noir, Deadwood, Cinematic Space, And The Irruption Of Genre Codes / Nicolas S. Witschi -- Right Or Wrong, You Side With Your Feelings / Jennilyn Merten -- A Brooding And Dangerous Soul: Deadwood's Imperfect Music / David Fenimore -- Calamity Jane And Female Masculinity In Deadwood / Linda Mizejewski -- Queer Spaces And Emotional Couplings In Deadwood / Michael K. Johnson -- Who Put The Gun Into The Whore's Hand? Disability In Deadwood / Nicole Tonkovich. Edited By Melody Graulich And Nicolas S. Witschi. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. __Dirty Words in “Deadwood”__ showcases literary analyses of the __Deadwood__ television series by leading western American literary critics. Whereas previous reaction to the series has largely addressed the question of historical accuracy rather than intertextuality or literary complexity, Melody Graulich and Nicolas S. Witschi’s edited volume brings a much-needed perspective to __Deadwood__’s representation of the frontier West.