About the book
American women novelists of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries registered a call for a new sexual freedom, Dale Bauer contends. By creating a lexicon of “sex expression,” many authors explored sexuality as part of a discourse about women’s needs rather than confining it to the realm of sentiments, where it had been relegated (if broached at all) by earlier writers. This new rhetoric of sexuality enabled critical conversations about who had sex, when in life they had it, and how it signified.
Whether liberating or repressive, sexuality became a potential force for female agency in these women’s novels, Bauer explains, insofar as these novelists seized the power of rhetoric to establish their intellectual authority. Thus, Bauer argues, they helped transform the traditional ideal of sexual purity into a new goal of sexual pleasure, defining in their fiction what intimacy between equals might become.
Analyzing the work of canonical as well as popular writers — including Edith Wharton, Anzia Yezierska, Julia Peterkin, and Fannie Hurst, among others — Bauer demonstrates that the new sexualization of American culture was both material and rhetorical.
Editions of Sex Expression and American Women Writers, 1860-1940
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807832301
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780807859063
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890880222
- EBook
- ISBN 9798893132205
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469605647
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807887691
Read an Excerpt
American women novelists of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries registered a call for a new sexual freedom, Dale Bauer contends. By creating a lexicon of “sex expression,” many authors explored sexuality as part of a discourse about women’s needs rather than confining it to the realm of sentiments, where it had been relegated (if broached at all) by earlier writers. This new rhetoric of sexuality enabled critical conversations about who had sex, when in life they had it, and how it signified.
Whether liberating or repressive, sexuality became a potential force for female agency in these women’s novels, Bauer explains, insofar as these novelists seized the power of rhetoric to establish their intellectual authority. Thus, Bauer argues, they helped transform the traditional ideal of sexual purity into a new goal of sexual pleasure, defining in their fiction what intimacy between equals might become.
Analyzing the work of canonical as well as popular writers — including Edith Wharton, Anzia Yezierska, Julia Peterkin, and Fannie Hurst, among others — Bauer demonstrates that the new sexualization of American culture was both material and rhetorical.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sex Expression and American Women Writers, 1860-1940 about?
American women novelists of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries registered a call for a new sexual freedom, Dale Bauer contends. By creating a lexicon of “sex expression,” many authors explored sexuality as part of a discourse about women’s needs rather than confining it to the realm of sentiments, where it had been relegated (if broached at all) by earlier writers. This new rhetoric of sexuality enabled critical conversations about who had sex, when in life they had it, and how it signified.
Whether liberating or repressive, sexuality became a potential force for female agency in these women’s novels, Bauer explains, insofar as these novelists seized the power of rhetoric to establish their intellectual authority. Thus, Bauer argues, they helped transform the traditional ideal of sexual purity into a new goal of sexual pleasure, defining in their fiction what intimacy between equals might become.
Analyzing the work of canonical as well as popular writers — including Edith Wharton, Anzia Yezierska, Julia Peterkin, and Fannie Hurst, among others — Bauer demonstrates that the new sexualization of American culture was both material and rhetorical.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Sex Expression and American Women Writers, 1860-1940?
Society and Social Sciences > Society and culture: general > Social groups, communities and identities > Gender studies, gender groups > Gender studies: women and girls
Where can I read a sample of Sex Expression and American Women Writers, 1860-1940?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807832301
How long is Sex Expression and American Women Writers, 1860-1940 and how many pages does it have?
Sex Expression and American Women Writers, 1860-1940 has 292 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Sex Expression and American Women Writers, 1860-1940?
Dale M. Bauer
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Sex Expression and American Women Writers, 1860-1940 is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807832301) and paperback(ISBN 9780807859063) and ebook(ISBN 9798890880222) and ebook(ISBN 9798893132205) and ebook(ISBN 9781469605647) and ebook(ISBN 9780807887691)
Where can I buy Sex Expression and American Women Writers, 1860-1940 online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Sex Expression and American Women Writers, 1860-1940 from below
Where can I buy Sex Expression and American Women Writers, 1860-1940?