Identifying elements of the Christian worldview that have influenced our theories of tragedy, Steele demonstrates how these theories fail when applied to Holocaust literature. The challenge of interpreting Holocaust literature is highlighted by a close investigation of the extent to which Christian thought, especially the view of transcendence, has permeated theories of interpretation. The author appeals for a new theory of tragedy which would allow an understanding of Holocaust literature without Christian interpretive biases. This book will be of interest to scholars of Holocaust literature, religion, and literary criticism.
"Michael Steele's eloquently conceived and written book explores the surrounding Christian philosophical milieu in the generations before and the years during the Holocaust. If one wants to understand Auschwitz one must read Elie Wiesel, but if one wants to understand how to read about Auschwitz then Steele's book is a must."-Merritt Linn, author A Book of Songs
| Series Foreword | |
| Introduction | |
| The Problem Tragedy and the Holocaust Necessity | |
| Destiny | |
| Order | |
| Pattern Redemptive Knowledge | |
| Intelligibility | |
| Self-Knowledge Suffering | |
| Innocence | |
| Guilt | |
| Tragic Magnitude Human Affirmation | |
| Consolatory Theism | |
| Transcendent Values and Tragic Pleasure | |
| The Tragic Hero Reflections on Christian Culpability and the Problematics of Belief | |
| Conclusion--Toward a Workable Theory | |
| Bibliography | |
| Index | |
| Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved. |
ISBN: 9780313295126
ISBN-10: 0313295123
Series: Contributions to the Study of Religion
Audience:
Professional
Format:
Hardcover
Language:
English
Number Of Pages: 208
Published: 24th July 1995
Publisher: ABC-Clio
Dimensions (cm): 23.4 x 15.6
x 1.2
Weight (kg): 0.535