Mediating War and Identity

'This remarkable study illuminates the cultural imaginary of war in a fundamentally new way. Exploring the deep veins of resistance within a narrative frame dominated by symbols of consensus, the authors offer a wholly original reading of one of the most consequential genres of 20 and 21st century life. Timely and important. ' Robert Burgoyne, author of The Hollywood Historical Film In state and public discussion about war and conflict, figures of transgression such as deserters, pacifist and emigrants are often marginalised, but they also play a key role in rethinking cultural and national identity in the wake of military violence. Raising questions of agency, responsibility and culpability in relation to the 'other', their cultural representation can enable reflection on and renegotiation of values and collective norms after the destabilisation of war. Through an interdisciplinary lens, this collection analyses the depiction of these transgressive figures in a variety of visual media, as well as the narrative, socio-cultural, political and historical contexts in which they emerge. Lisa Purse is Professor of Film Studies at the University of Reading. Ute Wölfel is Associate Professor in German Studies at the University of Reading. Cover image: methods used by Americans to mark stragglers and deserters. Florent, 5 November 1918. Photograph by US official photographer. Courtesy of the American First World War Official Exchange Collection, Imperial War Museum (c) Imperial War Museum (Q 70742) Cover design: [EUP logo] edinburghuniversitypress. com ISBN 978-1-4744-4626-6 Barcode