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Why is English synonymous with literature in the United States? Bonfiglio contextualizes the rising hegemony of English within the anti-labor, anti-immigration, xenophobic, mercantile, militarist, and technocratic ideologies that arose in the US in the first half of twentieth century.

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Introduction 1. English and the Languages 2. From ars liber to Modern Literatures 3. The American Century Conclusion: Language Needs New Language

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"Why is English Literature? opens a fresh perspective on current discussions of globalization and transnationalism that will enliven literary studies in English and American literature departments." - John Michael, University of Rochester, USA

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Thomas Paul Bonfiglio is a Professor of Comparative Literature and Linguistics in The Department of Modern Literatures and Cultures at The University of Richmond, USA.

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