The Economy of Religion in American Literature: Culture and the Politics of Redemption

This book explores how economic change influenced religion and the role of literature in mediating that influence, arguing that modernity was a time when new forms of the sacred proliferated and that this religious flourishing was essential to the production of American culture. It draws from the work of Émile Durkheim and cultural sociology to interpret modern social upheavals and proposes a theory that explains the enchantment of modern American society.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This book delves into the intricate relationship between economic change and religion, exploring how literature plays a crucial role in mediating this influence. Focusing on the period between 1840 and 1940, the author provides a comprehensive reassessment of modern American culture. By examining the development of capitalism during this time, the author demonstrates how it reshaped American Protestantism and the essential role that literature played in this process. Contrary to traditional notions, the author argues that the "spirit of capitalism" was not fostered by traditional Puritanism but rather emerged as a result of the market and industrial revolutions.

Through a deep analysis of the period, the author explores how Christianity was transformed by the market and industrial revolutions. The book challenges the long-held secularization thesis by highlighting the proliferation of new forms of the sacred during modernity. It argues that this religious flourishing was essential to the production of American culture.

Drawing from the work of Émile Durkheim and cultural sociology, the author interprets modern social upheavals such as religious awakenings, revivalism, and the labor movement. By examining the writings of authors like Rebecca Harding Davis, Jack London, and Countee Cullen, the author demonstrates how concepts of salvation fundamentally intersect with matters of race, gender, and class. The book proposes a theory that explains the enchantment of modern American society.

In conclusion, this book offers a fresh and insightful perspective on the relationship between economic change and religion, demonstrating how literature plays a vital role in mediating this influence. By exploring the period between 1840 and 1940, the author provides a comprehensive reassessment of modern American culture, challenging traditional narratives and highlighting the essential role of religion in shaping the nation's cultural landscape.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350231702