|
Abstract:
|
Despite the efforts of readers , writers and cultural critics , the fact remains that romance and the Western genres are considered low art . The real impetus behind this paper is not whether or not or even why they are considered low art . The important questions for me , the cultural critic , are : Why are these books so popular ? What do they offer their readers ? In considering their popular appeal , I think the implication of gender is the most illuminating piece of the puzzle . In this thesis , I will analyze the gender -specific fantasies offered in the Western romance novel and the popular Western , which will include characterizations of the hero and heroine in each of the novels , the employment of language , and perceptions of the genre , specifically efforts to legitimize them . |