Politics and Beauty in America The Liberal Aesthetics of P.T. Barnum
This book holds classical liberalism responsible for an American concept of beauty that centers upon women, wilderness, and machines. For each of the three beauty components, a cultural entrepreneur supremely sensitive to liberalism’s survival agenda is i
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TIMOTHY J. LUKES
Politics and Beauty in America
Timothy J. Lukes
Politics and Beauty in America The Liberal Aesthetics of P.T. Barnum, John Muir, and Harley Earl
Timothy J. Lukes Santa Clara University Santa Clara, California, USA
ISBN 978-1-137-02088-8 ISBN 978-1-137-02090-1 DOI 10.1057/978-1-137-02090-1
(eBook)
Library of Congress Control Number: 2016942399 © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2016 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. Printed on acid-free paper This Palgrave Macmillan imprint is published by Springer Nature The registered company is Nature America Inc. New York
For Elizabeth Ann, existential research partner, and the reason I am certain that a life without beauty is not worth living.
PREFACE
HITCHING WAGONS TO STARS My university was recently blessed with a new Learning Commons that shelters the now astounding variety of intellectual resources available to our scholarly community. This stunning edifice surpasses functional sufficiency with a design that has attracted and retained even the most recalcitrant young scholars. The alcove extends an invitation to visitors in the form of a fanciful bronze rendition of an open book executed by a young alumna. The venue has quickly become the linchpin of the campus. More recently, however, just adjacent to the building and quite intentionally attached to the entry ritual, a new work of art has appeared, one that depicts three individuals in biblical attire. An adoring man, genuflecting toward a seated woman, is eagerly awaiting the imminent transfer of a youth to his outstretched hands. Perhaps momentarily, one is inclined to interpret the statue as an “unusually informal” rendition of the Holy Family, as its institutional promotion suggests. Yet upon closer inspection, the impression turns decidedly Rockwellian. The youngster is cute, bereft of any figment of dignity to such an extent that the trio’s demeanors suggest nothing more profound than a celebr
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