George Washington and political fatherhood : the endurance of a national myth / Heinz Tschachler.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Tschachler, Heinz, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Washington, George, 1732-1799--Public opinion.

Washington, George, 1732-1799--Portraits.

Washington, George, 1732-1799.

Public opinion--United States--History.

Public opinion.

Leadership--Moral and ethical aspects.

Social values.

History.

Collective memory.

Fatherhood.

Symbolism--Political aspects.

Symbolism.

Presidents.

Portraits.

United States.

Presidents--United States--Public opinion.

Symbolism--Political aspects--United States.

Fatherhood--Political aspects--United States.

Collective memory--United States--History.

Social values--United States--History.

Leadership--Moral and ethical aspects--United States.

Political culture--United States--History.

Political culture.

Presidents--Public opinion.

Genre:

History.

Physical Description:

x, 252 pages ; 26 cm

Place of Publication:

Jefferson, North Carolina : McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, [2020]

Summary:

"Over two hundred years after his death, George Washington is still often considered the metaphorical father of the United States. Washington was first known as the "Father of His Country" during his lifetime, when the American people bestowed the title upon him as a symbolic act of resistance and rebirth. Since then, presidents have stood as paternal figureheads for America, often serving as moral beacons. This book tracks political fatherhood throughout world history, from the idea of the pater patriae in Roman antiquity to Martin Luther's Bible translations and beyond. Often using George Washington as a paradigm, this book explores presidential iconography in the U.S., propaganda and the role of paternal rhetoric in shaping American sociopolitical history-including the results of the 2016 presidential election."-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Prologue: Enter George Washington

I. Daddy issues: Presidents as fathers

On fathers, past and present

George Washington becomes the father of his country

II. Political sovereignty and metaphorical fathers

Strict Father Washington?

Inventing George Washington

Representing the republic

III. One whom memory oft recalls

Symbolic alliances

Expressions of consent

The father of the fatherless

IV. From the Civil War through the bicentennial of 1932

North and South

National myths

Towards the bicentennial of 1932

V. The preservation of our folklore

George of many perceptions

Washington's unique greatness

Epilogue: If George Washington had not been the father of his country.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781476681092

1476681090

OCLC:

1141040691