Generations of Jewish directors and the struggle for America’s soul 1st ed.

Author

• Girgus, Sam B.

Additional Author(s)

-

Publisher

Cham, Switzerland : Springer International Publishing, 2021

Language

English

ISBN

9783030760311

Series

Renewing the American narrative

Subject(s)

• MOTION PICTURES--UNITED STATES
• UNITED STATES--STUDY AND TEACHING

Notes

. .

Abstract

From generation to generation, three outstanding American Jewish directors—William Wyler, Sidney Lumet, and Steven Spielberg--advance a tradition of Jewish writers, artists, and leaders who propagate the ethical basis of the American Idea and Creed. They strive to renew the American spirit by insisting that America must live up to its values and ideals. These directors accentuate the ethical responsibility for the other as a basis of the American soul and a source for strengthening American liberal democracy. In the manner of the jeremiad, their films challenge America to achieve a liberal democratic culture for all people by becoming more inclusive and by modernizing the American Idea. Following an introduction that relates aspects of modern ethical thought to the search for America’s soul, the book divides into three sections. The Wyler section focuses on the director’s social vision of a changing America. The Lumet section views his films as dramatizing Lumet’s dynamic and aggressive social and ethical conscience. The Spielberg section tracks his films as a movement toward American redemption and renewal that aspires to realize Lincoln’s vision of America as the hope of the world. The directors, among many others, perpetuate a “New Covenant” that advocates change and renewal in the American experience.

Physical Dimension

Number of Page(s)

1 online resource (xvii, 270 p.)

Dimension

-

Other Desc.

ill.

Summary / Review / Table of Content

Chapter 1: Introduction: Jewish Directors and the "The New Covenant" --
Chapter 2: William Wyler's America --
Chapter 3: Sidney Lumet: The Long Struggle for Conscience and Social Justice --
Chapter 4: Steven Spielberg: American Redemption

Exemplar(s)

#	Accession No.	Call Number	Location	Status
1.	00958/21	791.40973 Gir G	Online !	Available