Debutante : Rites and Regalia of American Debdom Hardback
by Karal Ann Marling
Part of the CultureAmerica series
Hardback
Description
It is an institution that seems almost hopelessly out of date, a social relic of bygone times.
The very word ""debutante"" evokes images of prim, poised beauty, expensive gowns, and sumptuous balls, all of which seem anachronistic in these post-women's liberation times.
But as Karal Ann Marling reveals, debdom in America is alive and well and ever evolving.
For thousands of young women every year, the society debut remains a vital rite of passage, a demonstration of female power; debs continue to be viewed as the finest flowers of a distinctive American culture.
T he debut and its offshoots - the high school prom, the sorority presentation, assorted beauty pageants - continue to emphasize celebrity, class, and community.
But why does this peculiar tradition persist? Marling has the answer, as she demystifies debdom and the ""long-term American hankering after the trappings of royalty."" Debutante presents a penetrating and entertaining look at American debdom from the colonial era to the present day.
Debbing has always been a performance art, created by and for women.
Information
-
Available to Order - This title is available to order, with delivery expected within 2 weeks
- Format:Hardback
- Pages:224 pages, 61 photographs
- Publisher:University Press of Kansas
- Publication Date:30/04/2004
- Category:
- ISBN:9780700613175
Information
-
Available to Order - This title is available to order, with delivery expected within 2 weeks
- Format:Hardback
- Pages:224 pages, 61 photographs
- Publisher:University Press of Kansas
- Publication Date:30/04/2004
- Category:
- ISBN:9780700613175
