Outrage: The Arts and the Creation of Modernity

A cultural revolution in England, France, and the United States began during the industrial and political revolutions and helped usher in modernity. The book examines six cultural battles between 1847 and 1937, including the novels of the Brontë sisters, the paintings of the Impressionists, the poetry of Emily Dickinson, the Ballets Russes production of Le Sacre du Printemps, James Joyce's Ulysses, and Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God. These works provoked outrage at the time of their release because they addressed critical points of social upheaval and transformation in ways that engaged broad audiences with subversive messages.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 210 pages
Publication date: 13 June 2023
Publisher: Stanford University Press

A transformative cultural upheaval swept across England, France, and the United States during the pivotal era of the industrial and political revolutions, paving the way for modernity. This cultural revolution, which ran in parallel with the more well-documented political and economic transformations, ushered in an era of continuous revolution. Delving into the period between 1847 and 1937, the book explores in depth six pivotal cultural battles that played a crucial role in this revolutionary movement. These battles include the literary masterpieces of the Brontë sisters, the captivating paintings of the Impressionists, the poignant poetry of Emily Dickinson, the groundbreaking production of Le Sacre du printemps by the Ballets Russes, the visionary novel of James Joyce's Ulysses, and the powerful work of Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God. By examining contemporaneous press reviews and other historical evidence, it becomes evident that these now-celebrated works elicited outrage upon their initial release due to their bold and subversive exploration of critical social upheavals and transformations. This framework provides a valuable lens through which to understand and navigate the ongoing cultural debates that hold immense significance in the 21st century political landscape.

Weight: 340g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503635821