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Opting Out
Deviance and Generational Identities in American Post-War Cult Fiction
Series: - Costerus New Series Online, Volume: 197
- Costerus New Series, Volume: 197
Author:
Opting Out explores the theme of deviance as a form of protest in famous cult novels that have left an indelible mark on contemporary American culture â from Jack Kerouac's On the Road to Chuck Palahniukâs Fight Club. Adopting a generational lens, it centers on the deviant heroes and literary spokesmen of two major cohorts: the Baby Boomers and Generation X. Here for the first time the cult texts that defined these generations are submitted to a critical analysis that allows them to enter into a dialogue â or rather a heated debate â with each other. This opens new perspectives on the generation gap in America since 1945, offering a dynamic look at the role of youth as agents of social change and cultural innovation.
The volume is of interest to students and researchers in contemporary American literature and culture, as well as to fans of cult fiction in general. The interdisciplinary approach to the themes of generational conflict and deviant behaviour also makes a significant contribution to the fields of sociology, contemporary history and cultural studies.
The volume is of interest to students and researchers in contemporary American literature and culture, as well as to fans of cult fiction in general. The interdisciplinary approach to the themes of generational conflict and deviant behaviour also makes a significant contribution to the fields of sociology, contemporary history and cultural studies.
â[â¦] it is the âheated debateâ (6) arising from the X-ersâ rejection of the boomer ethos that she seeks to explore.[â¦] Opting Out remains an informed analysis of how cult fiction has helped forge the USâs two major postwar generations.â
â Edward Jackson, in Journal of American Studies 48 (2014)
â Edward Jackson, in Journal of American Studies 48 (2014)
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Opting Out as a Modern Paradigm: Generations, Deviance and Cult Fiction
Generational Identity: Origins, Formation and Impact
Deviance: Definitions, Reactions and Implications
Cult Fiction: Writing from the Margins
The Generational Constellation in Post-War America: A Brief Overview
Deviance in Cult Fiction of the 1950s and 1960s
The Road Out: Deviance in Jack Kerouacâs On the Road
An Unlocked Window: Deviance in Ken Keseyâs One Flew Over the Cuckooâs Nest
âEdge Cityâ: Deviance in Tom Wolfeâs The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test
Deviance in Cult Fiction of the 1980s and 1990s
âDisappear Hereâ: Deviance in Bret Easton Ellisâ Less Than Zero
âThe Lunar Side of the Fenceâ: Deviance in Douglas Couplandâs Generation X
âHitting Bottomâ: Deviance in Chuck Palahniukâs Fight Club
Conclusion: Opting Out and Americaâs Social Imaginary
Bibliography
Index
Introduction
Opting Out as a Modern Paradigm: Generations, Deviance and Cult Fiction
Generational Identity: Origins, Formation and Impact
Deviance: Definitions, Reactions and Implications
Cult Fiction: Writing from the Margins
The Generational Constellation in Post-War America: A Brief Overview
Deviance in Cult Fiction of the 1950s and 1960s
The Road Out: Deviance in Jack Kerouacâs On the Road
An Unlocked Window: Deviance in Ken Keseyâs One Flew Over the Cuckooâs Nest
âEdge Cityâ: Deviance in Tom Wolfeâs The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test
Deviance in Cult Fiction of the 1980s and 1990s
âDisappear Hereâ: Deviance in Bret Easton Ellisâ Less Than Zero
âThe Lunar Side of the Fenceâ: Deviance in Douglas Couplandâs Generation X
âHitting Bottomâ: Deviance in Chuck Palahniukâs Fight Club
Conclusion: Opting Out and Americaâs Social Imaginary
Bibliography
Index