White Collar Fictions: Class and Social Representation in American literature,1885-1925

White Collar Fictions: Class and Social Representation in American literature,1885-1925

by Wilson, Christopher P. · University of Georgia Press

Publisher
University of Georgia Press
Published
1992
Pages
325
ISBN-13
9780820313672
Format
print
Language
English
Compare Prices Wishlist

In White Collar Fictions Christopher P. Wilson explores how turn-of-the-century literary representations of "white collar" Americans--the "middle" social strata H. L. Mencken dism…

Book Summary
Christopher P. Wilson's White Collar Fictions examines how American literature from 1885 to 1925 portrayed the emerging white-collar class. Through authors like Sherwood Anderson, Sinclair Lewis, and O. Henry, Wilson shows how fictional representations helped shape cultural vocabulary—'Babbittry,' the 'Average American'—that redefined power and authority in a corporate age. This interdisciplinary study blends literary analysis with social history.
This book is not available
Best buying and renting options — totals include estimated shipping when seller shipping is unavailable
Store Condition Deals & Coupons Price Est. Shipping Total
About White Collar Fictions: Class and Social Representation in American literature,1885-1925

In White Collar Fictions, Christopher P. Wilson explores the literary construction of the white-collar class in America between 1885 and 1925, a period when the family business gave way to the modern corporation and mid-level clerical work expanded rapidly. Wilson argues that fictional portrayals of sales clerks, accountants, lawyers, and middle managers were not mere reflections but active participants in a new social class coming to terms with its own power and contradictions. Reexamining canonical figures like Sherwood Anderson and Sinclair Lewis alongside nearly forgotten authors such as O. Henry, Edna Ferber, Robert Grant, and Elmer Rice, Wilson integrates literary analysis with social-history research. He uncovers how magazines like the Saturday Evening Post idolized 'average Americans' while writers created a cultural vocabulary—'Babbittry,' the 'little people,' the 'Average American'—that redefined power, authority, and commonality in American society.

Who should read White Collar Fictions: Class and Social Representation in American literature,1885-1925?

This book is essential for scholars and students of American literary history, particularly those interested in the Gilded Age and Progressive Era. It will appeal to readers exploring the intersection of literature and social class, as well as historians of labor, business, and middle-class culture. Fans of Sherwood Anderson, Sinclair Lewis, and O. Henry will gain new context for their work. Anyone curious about how the 'white collar' identity was formed and represented in American culture will find this interdisciplinary study valuable.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • ✓ Offers an innovative integration of literary analysis with social-history research.
  • ✓ Recovers nearly forgotten authors like O. Henry, Edna Ferber, and Elmer Rice alongside canonical figures.
  • ✓ Provides a nuanced understanding of how white-collar identity was constructed in American literature.
  • ✓ Illuminates the origins of cultural terms like 'Babbittry' and the 'Average American.'
  • ✓ Well-researched and clearly written, suitable for both scholars and general readers interested in the period.
Cons
  • ✗ The academic prose may be dense for casual readers.
  • ✗ Focuses on a specific time period (1885–1925), limiting its scope for those interested in later eras.
  • ✗ Assumes familiarity with the literary and historical context of the era.
  • ✗ Some may find the emphasis on forgotten authors less engaging than the treatment of major figures.
  • ✗ The interdisciplinary approach might feel too specialized for readers seeking pure literary criticism.
Similar books
The Incorporation of America: Culture and Society in the Gilded Age
The Incorporation of America: Culture and Society in the Gilded Age
Alan Trachtenberg
Sister Carrie
Sister Carrie
Theodore Dreiser
Babbitt
Babbitt
Sinclair Lewis
Winesburg, Ohio
Winesburg, Ohio
Sherwood Anderson
Frequently asked questions
What is the main argument of White Collar Fictions?
Wilson argues that literary representations of white-collar Americans between 1885 and 1925 were not just reflections but active forces in shaping a new social class's identity, helping to create a cultural vocabulary that redefined power and authority in American society.
Which authors are discussed in the book?
The book examines Sherwood Anderson, Sinclair Lewis, O. Henry, Edna Ferber, Robert Grant, and Elmer Rice, among others, showing how their work portrayed white-collar life.
Is this book suitable for undergraduate students?
Yes, it is appropriate for advanced undergraduates and graduate students in American literature, history, and cultural studies, though some background in the period is helpful.
How does Wilson define 'white collar'?
Wilson uses the term to describe the expanding middle strata of sales clerks, accountants, lawyers, advertisers, middle managers, and professionals that emerged between capital and labor during the rise of the modern corporation.
What is the significance of the term 'Babbittry' in the book?
Wilson shows how 'Babbittry,' derived from Sinclair Lewis's novel Babbitt, became part of a new cultural vocabulary that captured the contradictions and stereotypes of white-collar life, helping to redefine notions of commonality and authority in America.

At Windsorbooks, we compare prices from trusted sellers so you can buy, rent, or sell textbooks at the best total price — shipping included.

As an Amazon Associate, Windsorbooks.com may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases.