Heroes, Villains, and Fools

Taylor & Francis

Heroes, Villains, and FoolsThe Changing American Character\nAuthor(s): Orrin E. Klapp\nFormat: Paperback\nPublisher: Taylor & Francis Inc, United States\nImprint: Routledge\nISBN-13: 9781412853583, 978-1412853583\nSynopsis\nThis volume presents three major social types in American societyheroes, villains, and foolsas models for American behaviour. Approaching these models primarily through language, Orrin E. Klapp explores what they may suggest about Americans as a people.\n\nRather than study people, the author describes abstract types named and embedded in popular language. These social types are important symbols; and a way to attack a symbol is by identifying its meaning in various contexts. He further argues that the language surrounding heroes, villains, and fools reveals a social structure. We may not escape being ascribed a type, but we do have a choice of type. Known more commonly as \""finding oneself,\"" we can manipulate cueswith dress, facial expressions, style of life.