Title Smoothing the Jew : Abie the agent and ethnic caricature in the progressive era / Jeffrey A. Marx

Published New Brunswick : Rutgers University Press, [2024]

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Description 1 online resource (ix, 194 pages) : illustrations (some color) Contents Chapter 1. Caricatures & Smoothing Efforts -- Chapter 2. Censoring Attempts -- Chapter 3. Smoothing Abie -- Chapter 4. Becoming American -- Conclusion -- Acknowledgments -- Bibliography -- Index Summary "The turn of the nineteenth century in the United States saw a substantial influx of immigrants and a corresponding increase in anti-immigration and nativist tendencies among longer-settled Americans. Jewish immigrants were often the object of such animosity, being at once the object of admiration and anxiety for their perceived economic and social successes. One result was their frequent depiction in derogatory caricatures on the stage and in print. Smoothing The Jew investigates how Jewish artists of the time attempted to "smooth over" these demanding portrayals by focusing on the first Jewish comic strip published in English, Harry Hershfield's Abie the Agent. Jeffrey Marx demonstrates how Hershfield created a Jewish protagonist who in part reassured nativists of the Jews' ability to assimilate into American society while also encouraging immigrants and their children that, over time, they would be able to adopt American customs without losing their distinctly Jewish identity"-- Provided by publisher Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index Notes Print version record Subject Abie the agent (Fictitious character) Hershfield, Harry, 1885-1974 -- Characters -- Jews Hershfield, Harry, 1885-1974 -- Political and social views Hershfield, Harry, 1885-1974 Jews in comics. Jewish wit and humor, Pictorial. Jews -- Cultural assimilation -- United States -- History -- 19th century Jews -- Cultural assimilation -- United States -- History -- 20th century Comic books, strips, etc. -- United States -- History and criticism LITERARY CRITICISM / Comics & Graphic Novels. SOCIAL SCIENCE / Popular Culture. LITERARY CRITICISM / General Comic books, strips, etc. Jewish wit and humor, Pictorial Jews -- Cultural assimilation Jews in comics Jews in literature Political and social views United States Genre/Form Electronic books Criticism, interpretation, etc. History Form Electronic book ISBN 9781978836372 1978836376 9781978836365 1978836368

Other Titles Abie the agent and ethnic caricature in the progressive era

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