The St. Louis Veiled Prophet Celebration

"In The St. Louis Veiled Prophet Celebration, Thomas Spencer explores the social and cultural functions of the organization's annual celebration - the Veiled Prophet parade and ball - and traces the shifts that occurred over the years in its cultural meaning and importance.".

"Spencer shows that the celebration originated as the business elite's response to the St. Louis general strike of 1877. Symbolically gaining control of the streets, the elites presented St. Louis history and American history by tracing the triumphs of great men - men who happened to be the Veiled Prophet members' ancestors. The Parade, therefore, was intended to awe the masses toward passivity with its symbolic show of power. The members believed that they were helping to boost St.

Louis economically and culturally by enticing visitors from the surrounding communities. The also felt that the parades provided the spectators with advice on morals and social issues and distracted them from less desirable behavior like drinking and carousing."--BOOK JACKET.