{"product_id":"obituaries-in-american-culture","title":"Obituaries in American Culture","description":"Within the short period of a year she was a bride, a beloved wife and companion, a mother, a corpse,\"\" reported \u003cem\u003eThe National Intelligencer\u003c\/em\u003e on the death of Elizabeth Buchanan in 1838.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSuch obituaries fascinate us. Few of us realize that, when examined historically, they can reveal not only information about the departed but also much about American culture and about who and what we value. They also offer hints about the way Americans view death.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis book also will fascinate, for it surveys more than 8,000 newspaper obituaries from 1818 to 1930 to show what they reveal about our culture. It shows how, in memorializing individual citizens, obituaries make a public expression of our values. Far from being staid or morbid, these death notices offer a lively look at a changing America. Indeed, obits are little windows through which to view America's cultural history.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the nineteenth century, they spoke of a person's character, in the twentieth of a person's work and wealth. In the days when women were valued mainly in their relationships with men, their obituaries were about the men in their lives. Then, as now, important friendships make a difference, for sometimes a death has been deemed newsworthy only because of whom the deceased knew.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn 1838 when a 50-year-old Virginian named William P. Custis died \"\"after a long and wasting illness,\"\" readers of \u003cem\u003eThe Daily National Intelligencer\u003c\/em\u003e learned about his generous hospitality, his sterling business principles, and his kindness as a neighbor and husband. Custis's obituary not only recorded the fact of his death but also celebrated his virtues.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe newspaper obituary has a commemorative role. It distills the essence of a citizen's life, and it reflects what society values and wants to remember about the deceased. Throughout our history, these published accounts have revealed changing values. They provide a link between public remembrances of individuals and the collective memory of a great American past. In obits of yesteryear men were brave, gallant, vigilant, bold, honest, and dutiful. Women were patient, resigned, obedient, affectionate, amiable, pious, gentle, virtuous, tender, and useful. Mining newspapers of New York City, New Orleans, Baltimore, Chicago, and San Francisco, along with two early national papers, \u003cem\u003eNiles' Weekly Register\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eThe National Intelligencer\u003c\/em\u003e, Janice Hume has produced a portrait of America, an entertaining history, and a revealing look at the things Americans have valued.","brand":"University Press of Mississippi","offers":[{"title":"Default Product","offer_id":57526268952920,"sku":"9781578062423","price":33.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/1295\/4195\/files\/9781578062423.jpg?v=1781681464","url":"https:\/\/agendabookshop.com\/products\/obituaries-in-american-culture","provider":"Agenda Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}