The Serpent Within: Politics, Literature and American Individualism

This book examines four key works of American literature to validate a critical analysis of American politics. Using a Lockean/Hobbesian individualist framework, the chosen works offer a window into a uniquely American concept of individuality that has shaped current sociopolitical culture. The lack of shared, empathetic appreciation of our needs and problems makes it extremely difficult to successfully address current debates in social issues such as crime, drugs, and homelessness, to name a few. The book argues that the root of American political and social problems lies in the extreme individuality inherent in American culture. By examining representative elements of American literature, we can gain greater, unique insight into American political dilemmas. Contents: Introduction: The Serpent Within; Hobbes and Locke in America; The Scarlet Letter; Moby-Dick; Huckleberry Finn; The Great Gatsby; Literature, Individualism and Public Policy; Index.