Philosophical pessimism serves as a critical lens for examining contemporary cultural studies by challenging ideas of temporality, progress, and futurity. In a world facing apocalyptic fears, this exploration encourages embracing rather than ignoring negative aspects of existence. The book posits that a cultural logic emphasizing the worst is prevalent in modern philosophical discourse and cultural expressions, offering insights into navigating complexity and uncertainty in today's society.
Figurations of Tainted Whiteness in the Novels of Irvine Welsh, Niall Griffiths and John King
„White trash“ is a liminal figure that dramatizes the intersection of race and class. Contemporary British novelists like Irvine Welsh, Niall Griffiths and John King use this originally US-American stereotype to interrogate the racializing discourse of class in British society. Their novels are interdiscursive reflections of the figurations of race and class that still haunt the British cultural imaginary. „British White Trash“ is the first analysis to comprehensively examine the adaptation of the „white trash“ stereotype in major British novels. The study thus contributes to a critical understanding of racism and classism, its cultural representations and its underlying social processes.