An Ethics of Betrayal
An Ethics of Betrayal
The Politics of Otherness in Emergent U.S. Literatures and Culture
Series: American Literatures Initiative
Contributors: Crystal Parikh (author)
Format: Hardback, 229 x 152 x 23mm , 256 pp
Publication date: 15 May 2009
Publisher: Fordham University Press
ISBN-10: 0823230422
EAN: 9780823230426
Drawing on the work of Levinas and Derrida, "An Ethics of Betrayal" investigates the themes and tropes of betrayal and treason in Asian American and Chicano/Latino literary and cultural narratives. In this first major comparative study of narratives by and about Asian Americans and Latinos, Parikh considers writings by Frank Chin, Gish Jen, Chang-rae Lee, Eric Liu, Americo Parades, and Richard Rodriguez, as well as narratives about the persecution of Wen Ho Lee and the rescue and return of Elian Gonzalez. By addressing the conflicts at the heart of filiality, the public dimensions of language in the constitution of minority 'community', and the mercenary mobilizations of 'model minority' status, "An Ethics of Betrayal" seriously engages the challenges of conducting ethnic and critical race studies based on the uncompromising and unromantic ideas of justice, reciprocity, and ethical society.
Reviews:
"A highly illuminating account of how issues of betrayal have shaped Asian American and Latino cultures and politics, and a provocative set of reflections on the ethical conclusions that might be drawn from this history." - Daniel Kim, Brown University "A truly compelling and engaging assessment of how betrayal operates." - Tina Y. Chen, Vanderbilt University"
Author Biography:
CRYSTAL PARIKH is Assistant Professor in the Department of Social and Cultural Analysis and the Department of English at New York University.