What happened at the first American writers’ congress? Kenneth Burke's “revolutionary symbolism in America”

Ann George Texas Christian University ; Jack Selzer Pennsylvania State University

Abstract

Abstract Burke's famous performance at the First American Writers’ Congress in 1935 should be understood in relation to its occasion. The Congress was held to enlist the services of writers in creating a broad Popular Front, or People's Front, to encourage social change, so Burke's recommendation that “the people”; ought to be substituted for “the worker”; in Communist Party symbolism—that “propaganda by inclusion”; ought to succeed “propaganda by exclusion “—was actually in moderate keeping with the Congress’ broad aim. Though his recommendation was resisted by some, Burke was actually not so much marginalized by the Congress as identified with its controversies.

Journal
Rhetoric Society Quarterly
Published
2003-03-01
DOI
10.1080/02773940309391253
Open Access
Closed
Topics

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (5)

  1. Rhetoric Society Quarterly
  2. Rhetoric Society Quarterly
  3. Rhetoric Review
  4. Rhetoric Review
  5. Rhetoric Society Quarterly

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Also cites 2 works outside this index ↓
  1. 10.1080/10510979109368336
    Communication Studies  
  2. 10.1017/CBO9780511552878
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