Sites of Memory in American Literatures and Cultures

Edited by Udo J. Hebel.

This volume brings together 20 original essays by scholars from the United States, Great Britain, France, Italy, and Germany. It focuses on the centrality of memory and commemoration to the formation, affirmation, and revision of American histories and identities over the course of more than two centuries. Individual studies engage theoretical issues and perspectives of American memory studies (Michael Kammen, Aleida Assmann), discuss literary texts that position themselves at the intersection of personal and cultural memories and countermemories (Klaus Benesch, Joseph C. Schöpp, François Pitavy, Ulfried Reichardt, Nicolas Witschi, Renate von Bardeleben), interpret theatrical performances and civic festivities as enactments of individual and collective remembering (Kurt Müller, Winfried Herget, Heike Bungert, Udo J. Hebel), explore the potential of films, folk songs, and public buildings as commemorative media and memorial spaces (Winfried Fluck, James Olney, John Seelye, William Boelhower), and address the political and cultural implications of literary anthologies, national archives, and virtual libraries (Werner Sollors, Caroline Sloat, Christopher Mulvey, Hanjo Berressem). The volume dates back to a conference held in Regensburg, May 11-14, 2000. XXXII,384 Seiten mit 17 Abb., gebunden (American Studies - A Monograph Series; Vol. 101/Universitätsverlag Winter 2003)