Language:
French
Year of publication:
1989
Titel der Quelle:
Pardès
Angaben zur Quelle:
9-10 (1989) 73-93
Keywords:
Jewish literature History and criticism
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) Personal narratives
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945), in literature
Abstract:
A paper delivered at the colloquium "Penser Auschwitz" held in Paris, November 1988. Analyzes American Holocaust fiction and its various approaches, which reflect the evolution of the attitude of American Jews toward the Holocaust. Examines the writings of Elie Wiesel, E.L. Wallant, Norma Rosen, Cynthia Ozick, Philip Roth, and many others. Discusses the false "universalistic" message of some of the novels which appeared in the 1960s, in which the Holocaust was banalized and treated as one of many evils (e.g. Wallant’s "The Pawnbroker"). Contends that Styron’s "Sophie’s Choice" and Roth’s "The Ghost Writer" are "revisionist" because they banalize the reality of Auschwitz and describe Jews through negative stereotypes. Discusses, as well, works which emphasize the importance and uniqueness of the Holocaust (e.g. Rosen’s "Touching Evil"). Claims that the new generation of writers, who are children of survivors, convey more truth about the past and understand better the impact of the Holocaust in the present.
Note:
Appeared in Italian as "La Shoà nella letteratura americana; testimoni, non testimoni, falsi testimoni" in "Pensare Auschwitz" (1995) 85-108.
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Record created automatically from multi-article record # 000035399
URL:
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