About the book
Americans have always shown a fascination with the people, customs, and legends of the “East” — witness the popularity of the stories of the Arabian Nights, the performances of Arab belly dancers and acrobats, the feats of turban-wearing vaudeville magicians, and even the antics of fez-topped Shriners. In this captivating volume, Susan Nance provides a social and cultural history of this highly popular genre of Easternized performance in America up to the Great Depression.
According to Nance, these traditions reveal how a broad spectrum of Americans, including recent immigrants and impersonators, behaved as producers and consumers in a rapidly developing capitalist economy. In admiration of the Arabian Nights, people creatively reenacted Eastern life, but these performances were also demonstrations of Americans' own identities, Nance argues. The story of Aladdin, made suddenly rich by rubbing an old lamp, stood as a particularly apt metaphor for how consumer capitalism might benefit each person. The leisure, abundance, and contentment that many imagined were typical of Eastern life were the same characteristics used to define “the American dream.”
The recent success of Disney’s Aladdin movies suggests that many Americans still welcome an interpretation of the East as a site of incredible riches, romance, and happy endings. This abundantly illustrated account is the first by a historian to explain why and how so many Americans sought out such cultural engagement with the Eastern world long before geopolitical concerns became paramount.
Editions of How the Arabian Nights Inspired the American Dream, 1790-1935
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807832745
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469614953
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807894057
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469605784
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890882189
Read an Excerpt
Americans have always shown a fascination with the people, customs, and legends of the “East” — witness the popularity of the stories of the Arabian Nights, the performances of Arab belly dancers and acrobats, the feats of turban-wearing vaudeville magicians, and even the antics of fez-topped Shriners. In this captivating volume, Susan Nance provides a social and cultural history of this highly popular genre of Easternized performance in America up to the Great Depression.
According to Nance, these traditions reveal how a broad spectrum of Americans, including recent immigrants and impersonators, behaved as producers and consumers in a rapidly developing capitalist economy. In admiration of the Arabian Nights, people creatively reenacted Eastern life, but these performances were also demonstrations of Americans' own identities, Nance argues. The story of Aladdin, made suddenly rich by rubbing an old lamp, stood as a particularly apt metaphor for how consumer capitalism might benefit each person. The leisure, abundance, and contentment that many imagined were typical of Eastern life were the same characteristics used to define “the American dream.”
The recent success of Disney’s Aladdin movies suggests that many Americans still welcome an interpretation of the East as a site of incredible riches, romance, and happy endings. This abundantly illustrated account is the first by a historian to explain why and how so many Americans sought out such cultural engagement with the Eastern world long before geopolitical concerns became paramount.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is How the Arabian Nights Inspired the American Dream, 1790-1935 about?
Americans have always shown a fascination with the people, customs, and legends of the “East” — witness the popularity of the stories of the Arabian Nights, the performances of Arab belly dancers and acrobats, the feats of turban-wearing vaudeville magicians, and even the antics of fez-topped Shriners. In this captivating volume, Susan Nance provides a social and cultural history of this highly popular genre of Easternized performance in America up to the Great Depression.
According to Nance, these traditions reveal how a broad spectrum of Americans, including recent immigrants and impersonators, behaved as producers and consumers in a rapidly developing capitalist economy. In admiration of the Arabian Nights, people creatively reenacted Eastern life, but these performances were also demonstrations of Americans' own identities, Nance argues. The story of Aladdin, made suddenly rich by rubbing an old lamp, stood as a particularly apt metaphor for how consumer capitalism might benefit each person. The leisure, abundance, and contentment that many imagined were typical of Eastern life were the same characteristics used to define “the American dream.”
The recent success of Disney’s Aladdin movies suggests that many Americans still welcome an interpretation of the East as a site of incredible riches, romance, and happy endings. This abundantly illustrated account is the first by a historian to explain why and how so many Americans sought out such cultural engagement with the Eastern world long before geopolitical concerns became paramount.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in How the Arabian Nights Inspired the American Dream, 1790-1935?
History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas
Where can I read a sample of How the Arabian Nights Inspired the American Dream, 1790-1935?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807832745
How long is How the Arabian Nights Inspired the American Dream, 1790-1935 and how many pages does it have?
How the Arabian Nights Inspired the American Dream, 1790-1935 has 358 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book How the Arabian Nights Inspired the American Dream, 1790-1935?
Susan Nance
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
How the Arabian Nights Inspired the American Dream, 1790-1935 is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807832745) and paperback(ISBN 9781469614953) and ebook(ISBN 9780807894057) and ebook(ISBN 9781469605784) and ebook(ISBN 9798890882189)
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