The book "Orgies of Feeling: Melodrama and the Politics of Freedom" is a book written by Elisabeth R. Anker, an Assistant Professor of American Studies and Political Science at George Washington University.
The Orgies of Feeling is a book about melodrama in the U.S. politics and the way it influences the nation. In her book, Elisabeth R. Anker describes the history and paradigms of the contemporary melodramatic political discourses in the United States, South Korea, Latin America and other countries.
This book focuses on different types of melodramatic political discourses including capitalism, communism, and neoliberalism. Also, there is a specific focus on the melodrama of terrorism. The author stresses the importance of moral eligibility and freedom as two significant factors that determine the use of melodrama.
In general, Elisabeth R. Anker states that melodrama is a factor that leads to legitimating state violence by the nation. She considers surveillance and war to be two moral imperatives that uphold freedom and eradicate villainy in the modern society.
Anker argues that melodrama can be found in such theories as post-Marxist theory, anti-communist and neoliberal theories. When reading the book, one can draw a conclusion that a recent rise of melodrama in the United States clearly indicates that there is a public discontent among Americans and shows that there is a systematic exploitation in the society that cannot be overcome.
In conclusion, it can be mentioned that the influence of melodrama became significant and helped the United States become a global power and provide a response to different threats. What is even more important, it can be found in The Orgies of Feeling that melodrama has recently been a driving force and a call for freedom.
Works Cited
Anker, E. (2014). Orgies of feeling: Melodrama and the politics of freedom. Duke University Press.
