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America s fascination with Shakespeare is a curious singularity, and this book looks at one of the most recent examples of this strange marriage: the NEA s program, "Shakespeare in American Communities" (SIAC). Through a close analysis of a SIAC materials and reactions, this book uncovers the ideology that courses through the program. This ideology is one of patriotism, democracy, diversity and decency; Shakespeare has been appropriated to a specifically American context in order to promote ideals that are in line with the current conservative trend in politics.

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Amanda Giguere holds an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Her recent research focuses on the plays of French playwright Yasmina Reza. She currently resides in Boulder, Colorado.

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