Literature in the Dawn of Sociological Theory: Stories That Are Telling

The book "Literature in the Dawn of Sociological Theory: Stories that are Telling" explores how novelists from the early 1800s to the early 1900s contributed to the sociological imagination. It discusses how these authors' fictional accounts anticipate contemporary social problems and conflicts, such as the environmental crisis, globalization, Black Lives Matter, #MeToo, "cancel culture," debates about gender non-conformity, secularization, the call for solidarity, and rebuilding society post-COVID.

Format: Hardback
Length: 180 pages
Publication date: 17 November 2021
Publisher: Lexington Books

Literature in the Dawn of Sociological Theory: Stories that are Telling delves into a captivating selection of novelists from the early 1800s to the early 1900s, exploring their profound contribution to the sociological imagination. Drawing upon the rich tapestry of aesthetic, sociological, and literary theories crafted by renowned thinkers such as Theodor Adorno, György Lukács, Fredric Jameson, Raymond Williams, Wolf Lepenies, Franco Moretti, Lucien Goldmann, John Orr, and many others, the book's main chapters delve into the works of Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville, Joseph Conrad, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Virginia Woolf, and Fyodor Dostoevsky. In the concluding chapter, the author reflects on the dawn of the modern era, particularly the birth of capitalism and the plague crisis in Boccaccios Florence, as depicted in The Decameron. Throughout the text, the author examines these "stories that are telling" in the context of contemporary social issues, shedding light on their relevance and significance.

Sarah Louise MacMillen makes a compelling argument for highlighting the insightful perspectives of these authors from the past, recognizing that their "fictional" accounts possess a remarkable ability to anticipate some of our most pressing social problems and conflicts. These include the devastating environmental crisis, the pervasive impact of globalization, the ongoing struggle for Black Lives Matter, the #MeToo movement, the emergence of "cancel culture," the ongoing debates surrounding gender non-conformity, the secularization of society, the call for solidarity in navigating evolving patterns of social existence, and the arduous task of rebuilding society in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. By delving into the rich narratives of the past, Literature in the Dawn of Sociological Theory: Stories that are Telling offers a valuable lens through which we can better understand and address the challenges we face today. It serves as a reminder that the wisdom of our predecessors can guide us toward a more compassionate and inclusive world.

Weight: 517g
Dimension: 227 x 161 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793628053