Civil Wars

The book explores the concept of the novel of manners in American literature, challenging the notion that the U.S. lacks the necessary social structure for this genre. Susan Goodman examines how American writers have linked national identity to everyday behaviors and norms, revealing that the novel of manners has been a significant and enduring form in American fiction. By recovering the broader meaning of "manners," the work highlights the intricate relationship between culture and literature in shaping American identity.