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These Days of Large Things: The Culture of Size in America, 1865-1930

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These Days of Large Things: The Culture of Size in America, 1865-1930
Topic: Society 2:20 pm EST, Jan 12, 2008

The United States at the turn of the twentieth century cultivated a passion for big. It witnessed the emergence of large-scale corporate capitalism; the beginnings of American imperialism on a global stage; record-level immigration; a rapid expansion of cities; and colossal events and structures like world's fairs, amusement parks, department stores, and skyscrapers. Size began to play a key role in American identity. During this period, bigness signaled American progress.

These Days of Large Things explores the centrality of size to American culture and national identity and the preoccupation with physical stature that pervaded American thought. Michael Clarke examines the role that body size played in racial theory and the ways in which economic changes in the nation generated conflicting attitudes toward growth and bigness. Finally, Clarke investigates the relationship between stature and gender.

From the Harper's Index for February 2008:

Ratio of the total square footage of the world's Wal-Marts to that of Manhattan: 9:7

These Days of Large Things: The Culture of Size in America, 1865-1930



 
 
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