Bodies in a Broken World

Women Novelists of Color and the Politics of Medicine

By Ann Folwell Stanford | Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press

About the book

In this multidisciplinary study, Ann Folwell Stanford reads literature written by U.S. women of color to propose a rethinking of modern medical practice, arguing that personal health and social justice are inextricably linked. Drawing on feminist ethics to explore the work of eleven novelists, Stanford challenges medicine to position itself more deeply within the communities it serves, especially the poor and marginalized. However, she also argues that medicine must recognize its limits and join forces with the nonmedical community in the struggle for social justice.

In literary representations of physical and emotional states of illness and health, Stanford identifies issues related to public health, medical ethics, institutionalized racism, women’s health, domestic abuse, and social justice that are important to discussions about how to improve health and health care. She argues that in either direct or indirect ways, the eleven novelists considered here push us to see health not only as an individual condition but also as a complex network of individual, institutional, and social changes in which wellness can be a possibility for the majority rather than a privileged few.

The novelists whose works are discussed are Toni Cade Bambara, Paule Marshall, Gloria Naylor, Leslie Marmon Silko, Toni Morrison, Louise Erdrich, Sandra Cisneros, Bebe Moore Campbell, Sapphire, Ana Castillo, and Octavia Butler.

Editions of Bodies in a Broken World

Hardcover
ISBN 9780807828052
Paperback
ISBN 9780807854808
EBook
ISBN 9780807862254
PDF
ISBN 9798890868268

Read an Excerpt

In this multidisciplinary study, Ann Folwell Stanford reads literature written by U.S. women of color to propose a rethinking of modern medical practice, arguing that personal health and social justice are inextricably linked. Drawing on feminist ethics to explore the work of eleven novelists, Stanford challenges medicine to position itself more deeply within the communities it serves, especially the poor and marginalized. However, she also argues that medicine must recognize its limits and join forces with the nonmedical community in the struggle for social justice.

In literary representations of physical and emotional states of illness and health, Stanford identifies issues related to public health, medical ethics, institutionalized racism, women’s health, domestic abuse, and social justice that are important to discussions about how to improve health and health care. She argues that in either direct or indirect ways, the eleven novelists considered here push us to see health not only as an individual condition but also as a complex network of individual, institutional, and social changes in which wellness can be a possibility for the majority rather than a privileged few.

The novelists whose works are discussed are Toni Cade Bambara, Paule Marshall, Gloria Naylor, Leslie Marmon Silko, Toni Morrison, Louise Erdrich, Sandra Cisneros, Bebe Moore Campbell, Sapphire, Ana Castillo, and Octavia Butler.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bodies in a Broken World about?

In this multidisciplinary study, Ann Folwell Stanford reads literature written by U.S. women of color to propose a rethinking of modern medical practice, arguing that personal health and social justice are inextricably linked. Drawing on feminist ethics to explore the work of eleven novelists, Stanford challenges medicine to position itself more deeply within the communities it serves, especially the poor and marginalized. However, she also argues that medicine must recognize its limits and join forces with the nonmedical community in the struggle for social justice.

In literary representations of physical and emotional states of illness and health, Stanford identifies issues related to public health, medical ethics, institutionalized racism, women’s health, domestic abuse, and social justice that are important to discussions about how to improve health and health care. She argues that in either direct or indirect ways, the eleven novelists considered here push us to see health not only as an individual condition but also as a complex network of individual, institutional, and social changes in which wellness can be a possibility for the majority rather than a privileged few.

The novelists whose works are discussed are Toni Cade Bambara, Paule Marshall, Gloria Naylor, Leslie Marmon Silko, Toni Morrison, Louise Erdrich, Sandra Cisneros, Bebe Moore Campbell, Sapphire, Ana Castillo, and Octavia Butler.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Bodies in a Broken World?

Medicine and Nursing > Medicine / Healthcare: general issues / topics > Medicolegal issues

Where can I read a sample of Bodies in a Broken World?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807828052

How long is Bodies in a Broken World and how many pages does it have?

Bodies in a Broken World has 288 page(s)

Is Bodies in a Broken World part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?

Yes it is a part of series Studies in Social Medicine

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Bodies in a Broken World?

Ann Folwell Stanford

Who is the Publisher of the book Bodies in a Broken World?

The University of North Carolina Press

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Bodies in a Broken World is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807828052) and paperback(ISBN 9780807854808) and ebook(ISBN 9780807862254) and pdf(ISBN 9798890868268)

Where can I buy Bodies in a Broken World online or support local independent bookshops?

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Where can I buy Bodies in a Broken World?