Disaffected: The Cultural Politics of Unfeeling in Nineteenth-Century America

Xine Yao delves into the intricate web of racial and sexual dynamics in nineteenth-century America, examining the phenomenon of unfeeling. This exploration unpacks how cultural politics shaped the way emotions were expressed—or stifled—during a time marked by social upheaval. Yao's analysis reveals how unfeeling was not simply a personal state but a broader societal mechanism that influenced identities and relationships.

Through a nuanced lens, the author unravels the implications of emotional detachment within various communities, highlighting the intersections of race and gender. Yao illustrates how unfeeling served both as a response to trauma and as a means of social resistance. By scrutinizing the cultural narratives surrounding emotion, the work offers fresh insights into the historical context of feeling and its suppression.

Yao's thoughtful examination challenges readers to reconsider conventional perceptions of emotional expression in the past. By connecting the dots between unfeeling and social injustice, the narrative provides a powerful commentary on how emotions are intertwined with identity, agency, and resistance in the fabric of American society.