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« Ben Katchor | Main | William Styron »

Comments

The term America or American appears often in
Philip Roth's books. Perhaps he needs to realize that America means North, South and Central America and is is no longer something that people of this country need to do--to reserve the term America and American just for those in the USA. Others around the world resent the fact that we have co-opted this term for ourselves alone.

Let's keep up with the times and not keep our noses in our own books too long.

Geez, don't be so sensitive. Who are these "others around the world"? Lithuanians? About all I can think of are the ones who refer to the USA as "Northern Mexico."

I have to agree, it's a pretty crazy criticism, GBK. What's in a name? The idea that the Americas are some sort of homogenous entity is a concept the Europeans brought when they invaded and gave a lot of different and vibrant cultures one name. To insist everyone cling to that anglo name is just strange.

I am curious, thought. The word "America" often appears in a lot of books. Are you suggesting merely that people should go through and scratch out "America" and scrawl in "USA" every time the word appears referring to the country? Is that actually supposed to change anything for anyone anywhere, or is it just, as you say, keeping your nose in your own book too long?

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