Sam Houston and Mirabeau Lamar

A Rhetorical Framing Study of Their Writings on Native Americans

Christopher J. Ryan

This book is a rhetorical study of the writings of Republic of Texas presidents Sam Houston and Mirabeau Lamar which analyzes the frames applied in the writings of the two leaders to define Native Americans. Presenting their individual writings as a dialogue and an argument, it considers the points at which Houston and Lamar’s rhetorical depictions overlapped and diverged, and explores the range and overall social impact of each president’s portrayal of Native Americans. It prompts readers to consider the implications of such rhetorical framing both historically and through the modern day in application to a wide array of social groups.

Lexington Books

Pages: 190 • Trim: 6¼ x 9⅜

978-1-4985-6772-5 • Hardback • July 2018 • $111.00 • (£85.00)

978-1-4985-6773-2 • eBook • July 2018 • $105.50 • (£82.00)

Subjects: Language Arts & Disciplines / Communication Studies, History / United States / State & Local / General

Sam Houston and Mirabeau Lamar

A Rhetorical Framing Study of Their Writings on Native Americans

Hardback

eBook

Summary

This book is a rhetorical study of the writings of Republic of Texas presidents Sam Houston and Mirabeau Lamar which analyzes the frames applied in the writings of the two leaders to define Native Americans. Presenting their individual writings as a dialogue and an argument, it considers the points at which Houston and Lamar’s rhetorical depictions overlapped and diverged, and explores the range and overall social impact of each president’s portrayal of Native Americans. It prompts readers to consider the implications of such rhetorical framing both historically and through the modern day in application to a wide array of social groups.

Details

Lexington Books

Pages: 190 • Trim: 6¼ x 9⅜

978-1-4985-6772-5 • Hardback • July 2018 • $111.00 • (£85.00)

978-1-4985-6773-2 • eBook • July 2018 • $105.50 • (£82.00)

Subjects: Language Arts & Disciplines / Communication Studies, History / United States / State & Local / General

Author

Christopher J. Ryan is director of rhetoric and professional and technical communication at The University of Texas at Dallas.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Foregrounding Framing in the Writings of Houston and Lamar
Chapter 1: Rationale and Historical Background
Chapter 2: Frames and Framing Analysis: Creating and Maintaining Meaning of Subjects
Chapter 3: Underlying Theory: Race, Diaspora and Colonial/Postcolonialism in the Analysis of Houston’s and Lamar’s Writings
Chapter 4: Conducting the Analysis
Chapter 5: Frames in Houston’s Writings
Chapter 6: Frames in Lamar’s Writings
Chapter 7: Comparative Analysis of Houston’s and Lamar’s Frames
Chapter 8: Drawing Conclusions, Considering Implications, and Suggesting Future Research
Bibliography
Index
About the Author

Reviews

Taking as his subjects two presidents of the Texas Republic, Sam Houston and Mirabeau Lamar, Ryan uses a rhetorical version of framing analysis to comparatively examine how Houston and Lamar rhetorically constructed their public arguments concerning Native Americans in the early republic. Of note in his analysis is that even as Houston and Lamar did not actually debate each other, Ryan brings to light framing nuances that allow him to place Houston and Lamar in conversation, thus pointing to a new understanding of the public tensions that existed during that period. This is a wonderful idea that showcases not only the flexibility of rhetorical framing analysis, but also shows a new understanding of Houston and Lamar.
— Jim A. Kuypers, Louisiana State University