Sensing the past
Subtitle: Hollywood stars and historical visions
By: Jim Cullen
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 2012
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 252
ISBN-13: 9780199927647; 9780199927661
Subjects: In motion pictures; Historical films; History and criticism; Motion pictures and history
Description: "How do perceptions of the past--not just of particular events, but of the trajectory of history as a whole--shape our experience of the world? Sensing the Past tackles this question with an unlikely source of historical insight--the work of six major Hollywood stars: Clint Eastwood, Daniel Day-Lewis, Denzel Washington, Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, and Jodie Foster. By focusing on the career choices made by these iconic actors, Cullen uncovers a discrete set of historical narratives, revealing the surprising ways historical forces shape our understanding of the world."--Publisher's website.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Introduction: John Wayne's threshold; title: Tending to the flock: Clint Eastwood, ambivalent wanderer; title: Master narrative: U.S. history as a struggle over 'and for' small communities; title: Shooting star: Daniel Day Lewis and the persistent significance of the frontier in American history; title: Master narrative: U.S. history as the rise and fall of rugged individualists; title: Equal work: the mystique of Meryl Streep; title: Master narrative: U.S. history as a journey for women from private to public; title: Rising sons: Denzel Washington, affirmative actor; title: Master narrative: U.S. history an intergenerational family drama; title: Team player: Tom Hanks, company man; title: Master narrative: U.S. history as a saga of collective enterprise; title: The brave one: Jodie Foster, (American) loner; title: Master narrative: U.S. history as a pilgrim's progress; title: Conclusion: sensing the present.