Youth Gangs in Literature

by
Claudia Durst Johnsonauthor

CLAUDIA DURST JOHNSON, now an independent scholar, was a Professor Emeritus at University of Alabama, where she served as Chair of the English Department for over ten years. She is the series editor for this series as well as Greenwood's Literature in Context series for which she wrote more than 12 casebooks. She is also the co-author of The Social Impact of the Novel (Greenwood, 2002).

Youth Gangs in Literature

20040730

Greenwood

Pages 264
Topics The Arts

Cite this eBook

  • eBook

    9780313061677

Description
Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Youth Gangs in Literature

Author(s): Johnson, Claudia;
Contributors: Johnson, Claudia;
Abstract:

Gang culture is one of the most volatile issues to have impacted young people throughout history and around the world. By focusing on the fictional representation of youth gangs, this work presents a unique perspective on an all-too-real phenomenon and its many manifestations. Organized chronologically and topically, the volume begins with a powerful essay tracing the origins and developments of youth gangs, from the early days of the Wild West to immigration gangs in 19th- and 20th-century America and the

Twenty chapters, each introduced with a primary document, fully explore the different types of gangs, identifying their time, place, struggles, and demographic character. Included are the early gangs of New York City, prison gangs, Asian gangs, school gangs, African American gangs, and girl gangs. Each chapter analyzes one or more works of fiction in terms of its thematic message and the light it sheds on the nature of the depicted gang situation. The examined fiction will be of special interest to students and educators, and includes works often found on assigned reading lists, such as The Chocolate War, The Outsiders, and Lord of the Flies. Popular works, such as Gangs of New York, provide an historical perspective on early immigrant gangs, while presenting timeless themes of identity struggles that resonate for young people everywhere. In addition to the literary works and primary documents, suggestions for additional titles and sources for further information on the topics are offered.

SortTitle: youth gangs in literature
Author Info:
Claudia Durst Johnsonauthor

CLAUDIA DURST JOHNSON, now an independent scholar, was a Professor Emeritus at University of Alabama, where she served as Chair of the English Department for over ten years. She is the series editor for this series as well as Greenwood's Literature in Context series for which she wrote more than 12 casebooks. She is also the co-author of The Social Impact of the Novel (Greenwood, 2002).

eISBN-13: 9780313061677
Cover Image URL: ~~FreeAttachments/9780313061677.jpg
Print ISBN-13: 9780313327490
Imprint: Greenwood
Pages: 264
Publication Date: 20040730
Series: Exploring Social Issues through Literature