UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA MERCED From Canon to Conversation: The Democratization of American Literature A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Humanities By Michael G. Barba Committee in charge: Professor Gregg Camfield, Chair Professor Jan Goggans Professor Ignacio López-Calvo Professor Nella Van Dyke 2019 Copyright Michael G. Barba, 2019 All rights reserved The Dissertation of Michael Gilbert Barba is approved, and it is acceptable in quality and form for publication on microfilm and electronically: ________________________________________________________________________ Jan Goggans ________________________________________________________________________ Ignacio López-Calvo ________________________________________________________________________ Nella Van Dyke ________________________________________________________________________ Gregg Camfield, Chair University of California Merced 2019 iii I dedicate this dissertation to Nicholas and Anastasia, my loves and my future. iv Table of Contents List of Illustrations…………………………………………………………..................... vi Acknowledgements……………………………………………………………………... vii Curriculum Vita………………………………………………………………………... viii Abstract………………………………………………………………………….…….…xii Introduction: A Tale of Two (or More) Canons………………..…………………………1 Chapter I: Frederick Douglass: A Tale of Two Autobiographies………………………..24 Chapter II: A Fabricated Tradition: Contradictions of form and Content…………….…42 Chapter III: A Disruption of Canon: Michael Chabon and The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay………………………………………………………………………..76 Chapter IV: They Live, We Sleep………………………………………………………103 Conclusion: That’s All Folks…………………………………………………………...122 Works Cited…………………………………………………………………………….136 v List of Illustrations Fig 1. Captain America #1……………………………………………………………....92 Fig 2. Cityscape from They Live……………………………………………………….109 Fig 3. Body Slam and Hell Comes to Frogtown theatrical posters……………………..120 vi Acknowledgements I would like to first thank the encouragement, support and aid of my committee: Dr. Gregg Camfield, Dr. Jan Goggans, and Dr. Ignacio López-Calvo. Each one of my committee has been instrumental in bringing this dissertation to fruition. From the bottom of my heart, I thank each and every one of you. I also would like to thank my friends: Denise Rempel, who was invaluable offering support, guidance and formatting help; Enrique Renteria, who never stopped believing that I could do this; Vince Piro, who pushed me early on to do well and succeed; Matthew Burkett, who was there to share some Star Trek with me when I hit bumps in the road along the way; John Rhys-Davies, who sat with me for thirty minutes at a science fiction and fantasy convention, and took time to discuss and debate my ideas for my dissertation; Daisy, my dog, for listening to all of my nascent ideas on our walks; Rick Rivera for sharing his files and correspondences with Arte Publico Press; Marina Stavytska who motivated me to start down this road; and finally, Hannah Reagers whose love and faith in me showed me I could finish, successfully. Additionally, I would like to thank my inmate students at Valley State Prison who have both been interested in my topic and who have pushed me across the finish line. And finally, I want to thank my children, Nicholas and Anastasia. I did this all for you. vii Curriculum Vitae EDUCATION 2007-2019 University of California, Merced, PhD- Interdisciplinary Humanities, emphasis American Literature, Film and Cultural Studies 1996-1997 University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, M.Ed.-English Education 1992-1996 Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA, B.A.-English, Literature and Composition 1994-1995 University of Sheffield, Sheffield, England, CSU Year Abroad Program- Literature and Film 1988-1991 Modesto Junior College, Modesto, CA, A.A.-Theatre Arts WORK EXPERIENCE 2001- 2019 Instructor (Full-time) Merced College, Merced, CA Taught developmental and university transfer-level composition and reading courses (ENGL 41, 82, 84, A, 1A, 1B), as well as Oral Interpretation, Creative Writing, Introduction to Film, African American Literature American Literature: Post-Civil War to Present and Film and Humanities (ENGL 2, 12, 14, 18, 11, and HUM 21); Co-coordinator of Merced College Puente Program; Taught in Inmate Education Program (2 years); Senator (5 years) on the Academic Senate; Representative on Instructional Master Planning Committee; co-author 2004 Program review; English Department chair (2 years); Trained in and implemented Academic Literacy program (Reading apprenticeship); MCFA, faculty organization Vice-President (one year) 2007-2011 Graduate Assistant University of California, Merced Teaching assistant for LIT 30: Introduction to American Literature I and LIT 31: Introduction to American Literature II. Regularly attended lectures, graded essay assignments and exams as needed and led discussion groups relevant to topics of the course. Assistant for the Center for Research in the Humanities and Arts (CRHA); Maintained CRHA website; Helped to promote CRHA events viii 2000-2001 Instructor (Part-Time) Merced College, Merced, CA Taught English 83, 87, A, and 1A; staffed writing lab; helped to develop and pilot student success program for under-represented students (GOAL) 1999-2006 Instructor (Part-time/Full-time temporary) Modesto Junior College, Modesto, CA Taught developmental and university transfer-level composition courses (ENGL 50, 101, 102, 103); designed and taught “Hollywood Today” film class; taught Chicano Literature (ENGL 172); Co-coordinated Puente Program (1999-2000); member of Learning Communities and Latino Studies committees (1999-2000) 2000-2001 Visiting Lecturer California State University, Stanislaus, Turlock, CA Taught upper division writing course that focused on issues and ideologies of successful teaching, such as assessment, management, cultural diversity, and instruction 1998-1999 English/Speech Teacher Davis High School, Modesto, CA Taught Freshman English; coached the Davis High School Speech team and Mock Trial Team; Served on several committees including English District Standards, and Assessment and Accountability 1997-1998 English Teacher, Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School, S. Yarmouth, MA Taught Freshman English; taught a pilot performance based assessment course; participated in several committees including Curriculum and Cultural Diversity. 1996-1997 Intern English Teacher- Springfield Central High School, Springfield, MA Taught at-risk adolescents (EXCEL- 10th grade) and college-prep 12th grade English TEACHING AND RESEARCH INTERESTS Canon Studies 19th and 20th Century American Literature Cultural Studies- Film, Television and Graphic Novels ix PUBLICATIONS 2011 “Undoing Masculinity: The Full Monty.” Hawaii University International Conference on Arts and Humanities Conference Proceedings. 2011. 2010 “Somewhere out beyond the Stars: Orientalism and Star Trek Deep Space Nine.” One World Periphery Reads the Other: Knowing the “Oriental” in the Americas and the Iberian Peninsula. Ed. Ignacio López-Calvo. Newcastle, England: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2010. CONFERENCES 2012 Paper- Popular Culture and Caves- “The Light in the Darkness: The Use of Caves in the Star Trek Television and Film Series”- Caves and Cognition Exploring the Cave Experience from Multidisciplinary Perspectives, UC Merced; Merced, CA, Oct 2012. 2012 Paper- Popular Culture and Gender- “Undoing Masculinity: The Full Monty” 2012 Hawaii University International Conference on Arts and Humanities; Honolulu, HI, January, 2012 2011 Presenter- “Chicano Literature: a Timeline,” Puente Regional Instructor Summit; Pleasanton, CA, Oct. 2011. 2011 Paper- Social Memory- “Social Memory and the film La Bamba” PCA/ACA National Conference; San Antonio, TX, April 2011. 2010 Paper- Popular Culture- “The History of Star Trek Studies” 3rd Annual Comics and Popular Culture Conference; Atlanta GA, September 2010. 2010 Commentator- Popular Culture- “Studies in Watchmen” 3rd Annual Comics and Popular Culture Conference; Atlanta GA, September 2010. 2009 Paper- Filmographic Orientalism- “‘Far Beyond the Stars’- Orientalism and Star Trek Deep Space Nine” Second International Conference on Orientalisms- EAST READS WEST; WEST READS EAST: The Near and Far East in the Western World, UC Merced; Merced, CA, April, 2009 2009 Panel Chair- Cultural Production By and About Asians In Peru- Second International Conference on Orientalisms- EAST READS WEST; WEST READS EAST: The Near and Far East in the Western World, UC Merced; Merced, CA, April, 2009 2009 Presenter- “Developing Critical Reading Skills in Phase II,” Puente Statewide Instructor Summit; San Diego, CA, March 2009. 2008 Paper- Reading Ruiz de Burton in the 21st Century- “The Complexity of Post Civil War Race and Identity: Twain’s Puddin’head Wilson, Chesnutt’s The Wife of His Youth and Other Stories of the Color Line, and Ruiz de Burton’s Who Would Have Thought It?” Recovering the U.S. Hispanic Literary Heritage Conference, Houston, TX, Nov. 2008. 2007 Panelist- Plenary session, NACCS Regional Conference, UC Merced, Nov. 2007 2006 Panelist- “Making Learning Visible”, Strengthening Student Success Conference; San Diego, California, April 2006 x 2006 Presenter- “The Reading/Writing Connection”, with Prof. Vincent Piro, Puente Regional Training; San Francisco, California, October 2006. INVITED CLASSROOM PRESENTATIONS 2009 “Chicano Literature: Context and a Timeline” UC Merced, Lit 031 American