The economy of redemption in American culture: Literature, theology, politics

Andrew J Ball, Purdue University

Abstract

In this dissertation, I argue that economic conventions fundamentally shaped the theological concepts and practices of modern Americans. Furthermore, I contend that the defining features of modern American culture are a product of this relationship. Far from being an era of disenchantment, modernity is characterized by the conflation of economy and religion, a phenomenon which caused cosmology to be rewritten in accord with new forms of political economy and led social norms regarding production and consumption to be imbued with religious significance. I argue that the advancement of modern capitalism was made possible by its consecration and, in particular, by making salvation contingent on the pious observance of market-based mores. Through an examination of illustrative works of literature, I show that the domestic political battles of the period were waged in largely soteriological terms, in service to notions of redemption that were implicitly based in variant systems of political economy.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Duvall, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Religion|Philosophy|American literature

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