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Cover of Communication and Women's Friendships

Communication and Women's Friendships

by Janet Doubler Ward

Book Details

Publisher:Popular Press
Published:1993
Pages:216
Format:BOOK
Language:en

Reading Info

About This Book

Eleven contributed essays discuss a variety of literary texts against a background of the historical and cultural aspects of women's friendships. The listings of works cited and primary works discussed do not adequately substitute for an index. Paper edition (unseen), $15.95. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Our Review

This collection of eleven scholarly essays examines how women's friendships are portrayed across various literary texts, grounding these fictional relationships within their specific historical and cultural contexts. The analysis moves beyond simple celebration to explore the complex communication, unspoken tensions, and profound bonds that define female camaraderie in literature. By dissecting these narratives, the book provides a critical framework for understanding friendship not just as a personal relationship, but as a communicative act shaped by societal forces.

The anthology's strength lies in its multifaceted approach, offering readers a robust academic exploration rather than a singular thesis. Scholars and students of gender studies, literature, and communication theory will find the compiled works cited and primary sources particularly valuable for further research, though the noted lack of a proper index is a genuine limitation. Ultimately, this volume makes a compelling case for the literary friendship as a crucial site for examining female agency, voice, and connection.

Themes

Literary Criticism

Subjects

Literary Criticism