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

Introduction / Joseph M. Knippenberg And Peter Augustine Lawler -- 1. Don Quixote And Christian Imperialism / Henry Higuera -- 2. Virtue, Honor, And Reputation: Machiavelli's Appropriation Of Christianity In The Rape Of Lucrezia / Joseph M. Knippenberg -- 3. Master And Man In Melville's Benito Cereno / Diana J. Schaub -- 4. Politics Of Hatred In A Tale Of Two Cities / Richard M. Myers -- 5. The Sea-wolf: Nature Versus Morality / Patrick Malcolmson -- 6. The Pestilent Intellect: Camus's Post-christian Vision / Alan Woolfolk -- 7. Family And Politics In Aristophanes / Amy L. Bonnette -- 8. Flannery O'connor And The Limits Of Justice / John Roos. Edited By Joseph M. Knippenberg And Peter Augustine Lawler. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. 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 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.