• Cross-Cultural Studies
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• v.52
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• pp.313-339
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to explore the manner in which Edith Wharton's Ethan Frome conveys contemporary, (culturally) imperialistic ideology. Especially by focusing on the difference between the European germ (or invasion) theory and the 'Americanized' invasion theory, this paper elucidates how the American $20^{th}$ century fiction represents contemporary 'fear' of the immigration of non-whites, that generated anti-immigration public sentiment in early $20^{th}$ century America. Also, this study investigates how racial or gendered biases contribute to attributing all (societal or individual) evils or illnesses to minorities such as (non-Nordic or non-white) immigrants, including women. Wharton's Ethan Frome isn't short of reflecting cultural imperialism.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.139-178
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• 2003

This study investigates Koreans respondents' perception of American society, American people and its influence in Korea and the world. These analyses have been conducted to provide the psychological, social and cultural basis for understanding the anti-American sentiments among Korean junior high school students, university students and adults. American influence is further divided into American influence on Korean society, on North-South Korean unification, and in the world. In addition, respondents' knowledge of the USA, their satisfaction with the current political functioning, and background information were obtained. A total of 763 respondents (171 junior high school students, 250 university students, and 342 parents of junior high school students) completed a survey questionnaire developed by the first two authors. The overall results indicate that the respondents had a negative view of the USA and its influence in Korea and the world. Majority of respondents perceive American society as being commercial, exclusionary, and ethnocentric. Some respondents perceive American society as being democratic and advanced. As for American people, they are perceive them as being selfish and at the same time independent and carefree. The trust for American society is very low. As for American influence in Korea, it is perceived it as creating dependency and less likely to be perceived as promoting progress and development. As for North-South Korean relations, respondents perceive the USA as interfering with the unification of two Koreas. Finally, respondents perceive the USA as a superpower with imperialistic and dominating tendencies and they were less like to perceive the USA as promoting democracy and justice. Significant differences across the age groups have been found with the junior high school students holding the most negative view about the USA and their parents holding the most positive view of the USA. University students had mixed views of the USA. holding both positive and negative views of the USA. Those respondents with greater dissatisfaction of the political system and with less knowledge about the USA has more negative views of the USA.