Opting Out : : Deviance and Generational Identities in American Post-War Cult Fiction.

• Superior document: Costerus NS ; v. 197
• Author: Sobral, Ana.
• Place / Publishing House: Amsterdam : : Editions Rodopi,, 2012.
• Year of Publication: 2012
• Language: English
• Series: Costerus New Series 197.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (271 p.)
• Notes: Description based upon print version of record.

Opting Out explores the theme of deviance as a form of protest in famous cult novels that have left an indelible mark on contemporary American culture – from Jack Kerouac's On the Road to Chuck Palahniuk’s Fight Club . Adopting a generational lens, it centers on the deviant heroes and literary spokesmen of two major cohorts: the Baby Boomers and Generation X. Here for the first time the cult texts that defined these generations are submitted to a critical analysis that allows them to enter into a dialogue – or rather a heated debate – with each other. This opens new perspectives on the generation gap in America since 1945, offering a dynamic look at the role of youth as agents of social change and cultural innovation. The volume is of interest to students and researchers in contemporary American literature and culture, as well as to fans of cult fiction in general. The interdisciplinary approach to the themes of generational conflict and deviant behaviour also makes a significant contribution to the fields of sociology, contemporary history and cultural studies.

Table of Contents

Preliminary Material -- INTRODUCTION -- GENERATIONAL IDENTITY: ORIGINS, FORMATION AND IMPACT -- DEVIANCE: DEFINITIONS, REACTIONS AND IMPLICATIONS -- CULT FICTION: WRITING FROM THE MARGINS -- THE GENERATIONAL CONSTELLATION IN POST-WAR AMERICA: A BRIEF OVERVIEW -- THE ROAD OUT: DEVIANCE IN JACK KEROUAC’S ON THE ROAD -- AN UNLOCKED WINDOW: DEVIANCE IN KEN KESEY’S ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST -- “EDGE CITY”: DEVIANCE IN TOM WOLFE’S THE ELECTRIC KOOL-AID ACID TEST -- “DISAPPEAR HERE”: DEVIANCE IN BRET EASTON ELLIS’ LESS THAN ZERO -- “THE LUNAR SIDE OF THE FENCE”: DEVIANCE IN DOUGLAS COUPLAND’S GENERATION X -- “HITTING BOTTOM”: DEVIANCE IN CHUCK PALAHNIUK’S FIGHT CLUB -- OPTING OUT AND AMERICA’S SOCIAL IMAGINARY -- BIBLIOGRAPHY -- INDEX.