Christmas, Ideology and Popular Culture / / Sheila Whiteley.

• Superior document: Title is part of eBook package: De Gruyter Edinburgh University Press Backlist eBook-Package 2013-2000
• VerfasserIn: Whiteley, Sheila,
• MitwirkendeR: Agius, Christine,; Bloustien, Gerry,; Brabazon, Tara,; Cooper, Barry,; Dodd, Sara M.,; Jarman-Ivens, Freya,; McKay, George,; Mundy, John,; Rycenga, Jennifer,; Storey, John,; Swiss, Thom,; Whiteley, Sheila,
• Place / Publishing House: Edinburgh : : Edinburgh University Press, , [2022]; ©2008
• Year of Publication: 2022
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (232 p.) :; 18 B/W illustrations

How do we understand Christmas? What does it mean? This book is a lively introduction to the study of popular culture through one central case study. It explores the cultural, social and historical contexts of Christmas in the UK, USA and Australia, covering such topics as fiction, film, television, art, newspapers and magazines, war, popular music and carols. Chapters explore the ways in which the production of meaning is mediated by the social and cultural activities surrounding Christmas (watching Christmas films, television, listening or engaging with popular music and carols), its relationship to a set of basic values (the idealised construct of the family), social relationships (community), and the ways in which ideological discourses are used and mobilised, not least in times of conflict, terrorism and war.Key FeaturesOffers an incisive account of the ways in which Christmas relates to social change, and how such recent events as 9/11 and the conflict in Iraq focus attention on traditional themes of community and family.Case studies include A Christmas Carol, Coca-colonisation and Santa Claus, Victorian cartoons and Christmas cards, Dr Who and 'Happy Christmas (War is Over)'Includes 18 B&W illustrations.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter -- Contents -- List of Illustrations -- Acknowledgements -- Introduction -- Part I ’TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY -- CHAPTER 1 The Invention of the English Christmas -- CHAPTER 2 Conspicuous Consumption and Festive Follies: Victorian Images of Christmas -- CHAPTER 3 Consumption, Coca-colonisation, Cultural Resistance – and Santa Claus -- Part II THE HOLLY AND THE IVY -- CHAPTER 4 Religious Controversies over Christmas -- CHAPTER 5 Christmas Carols -- CHAPTER 6 Christmas Songs – Sentiments and Subjectivities -- CHAPTER 7 The Musical Underbelly of Christmas -- Part III PEACE ON EARTH, GOODWILL TO ALL MEN -- CHAPTER 8 Christmas and War -- CHAPTER 9 Christmas and the Media -- CHAPTER 10 Christmas and the Movies: Frames of Mind -- Part IV WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS! -- CHAPTER 11 Popular Culture and Christmas: A Nomad at Home -- CHAPTER 12 Reflections of a Jewish Childhood during Christmas -- Postscript -- Bibliography -- Contributors -- Index