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Dr. Marc DiPaolo is looking for an essay that examines the contemporary relevance of It's a Wonderful Life - and the text that inspired it, A Christmas Carol - in light of recent religious, economic, and political events, including the "war on Christmas" and the continuing commercialization of Christmas, Occupy Wall Street, and Banxodus, and that consider the characters of Scrooge and Mr. Potter as examples of modern American capitalist amorality. This contemporary, ahistorical analysis should, naturally, include a serious study of the works in their original socio-political context, as well as consider issues of authorial intent.
The essay would be due in mid-February but would be included in a contracted book that will be published by McFarland at the end of 2012 or the start of 2013. The writing style should be intellectually rigorous enough to be considered solid scholarship, but written in an accessible style for undergraduate readers and a possibly broader-than-academic readership. References to another "religious" reform story, Groundhog Day, are welcome, but not necessary.
Length of Contribution: 6,000 – 8,500 words (including notes)
Citation Style: Modern Language Association
