Cross-Examinations of Law and Literature

This book uses legal thought and legal practice as a lens through which to read some of the important fictions of antebellum America.

List of contents

Acknowledgements; List of abbreviations; An opening statement; Part I. Individuals, Judges, Property: 1. The Pioneers; or the sources of American legal history: a critical tale; 2. The House of the Seven Gables: Hawthorne's legal story; 3. The House of the Seven Gables: Hawthorne's romance of art; Part II. Wage and Chattel Slavery: 4. 'Benito Cereno': Melville's narrative of repression; 5. A sentimental journey: escape from bondage in Uncle Tom's Cabin; 6. Exploitation at home and at sea; 7. 'Bartleby, the scrivener': fellow servants and free agents on Wall Street; 8. Contracts and confidence men; Part III. Billy Budd and Re-Righting Legal History: 9. Measured forms; 10. Ragged edges; A closing statement; notes; Index.

Summary

In Cross Examinations of Law and Literature Brook Thomas uses legal thought and legal practice as a lens through which to read some of the important fictions of antebellum America. The lens reflects both ways, and we learn as much about the literature in the context of contemporary legal concerns as we do about the legal ideologies that the fiction subverts or reveals.

Product details

• Authors: Brook Thomas
• Assisted by: Albert Gelpi (Editor), Ross Posnock (Editor)
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 12.12.2014
• EAN: 9780521330817
• ISBN: 978-0-521-33081-7
• No. of pages: 314
• Dimensions: 157 mm x 235 mm x 23 mm
• Weight: 662 g
• Series: Cambridge Studies in American
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > English linguistics / literary studies; Social sciences, law, business > Law > International law, foreign law