Research In Western American Literature, 2000–2001

Abstract

R e s e a r c h in W e s t e r n A m e ric a n L i t e r a t u r e , 2 0 0 0 -2 0 0 1 J a n R o u s h The year 2000-2001 was a strong year for research concerning the West. In areas as diverse as dance, theater, mass communications, geography , rhetoric, architecture, and art history, scholars are expressing a lively and creative interest in the West, be it an actual, physical stance or a state of mind. The sheer number of theses and dissertations in dis­ ciplines traditionally related to western American literature guarantees a rich and fertile background for scholars to explore. A quick look at total studies over the last three years reveals just how strong this year’s research growth is: M a s t e r ’s L e v e l D o c t o r a l L e v e l Y e a r 1999 2000 2001 1999 2000 2001 R e s . 43 68 127 188 80 310 One possibility for some of this tremendous growth concerns the fact that Dissertation Abstracts International (DAI) is totally online, with many libraries, including Merrill Library at Utah State University, sub­ scribing to the online service rather than keeping up with hard copies; hence, all of my research in this area is now done online. Given the nature of the DA I’s program, titles of theses and dissertations are crosslisted among disciplines to enhance research, bringing to light titles that otherwise might be overlooked. For example, in the past I have discovered few theses related to western American literature in DAI categories of theology, political science, law, or ancient languages. However, crosslisting reveals new connections in various disciplines, allowing a broader selection to be made. Yet enhanced research cannot completely account for the growth. I really believe that it was a strong and productive year and especially strong, I may note, in Canada, where many more titles emerged than usual. Surveying these titles reveals that an emphasis on a multifaceted West is the major research trend this year, as it has consistently been over the past few years. The American Dream, traditionally embodied by groups of W hite settlers moving west, has extended to include many who typically had little hope of ever succeeding in achieving it. For instance, once again Native American issues take the lead in all research WAL 37.1 Spring 2002 topics, comprising over 150 different areas. A t some distance behind but still comprising a significant proportion are titles reflecting Chicano/a or M exican American interests. Other ethnic groups are also reflected in this multifaceted approach to research in the West; these include for the first time a number of studies concerning Japanese settlement in the West, along with German as well as Sicilian immigrants. O f interest also is a number of studies relating to Mormons in the West, enough to note a definite presence. This multiethnicity is reflected even in studies that focus on single authors. O f approximately thirty-eight different authors explored, seven­ teen represented minority groups. Though once again W illa Cather was well in the forefront of individual authors, with seventeen different theses devoted to her work, both Leslie Marmon Silko and Sandra Cisneros were not far behind. Other studies include such authors as N. Scott Momaday, Sim on Ortiz, Carter Revard, D ’Arcy McNickle, Americo Paredes, Rudolfo Anaya, A na Castillo, Paula Gunn Allen, Louise Erdrich, Mourning Dove, and Zitkala-Sa, aptly illustrating this interest in diversity. O f the more traditional, so-called mainstream authors in western American literature, Mark Twain and James Fenimore Cooper received the most attention, with seven studies apiece, closely followed by Jack London. In contrast to previous years, John Steinbeck appeared only once. A s might be expected with such diversity, a number of issues exam­ ined revolve around topics like alienation, repression, revolution, isola­ tion, identity, or displacement. In addition to race, gender was an issue, in many forms, with domesticity, silence, and feminism being just a few of the key...