African American Literature History and Current Trends

African American African American LiteratureLiterature

History and Current TrendsHistory and Current Trends


The first writings by blacks in The first writings by blacks in America was autobiographical and America was autobiographical and became known as the Slave became known as the Slave NarrativeNarrative

Three themes developed in early Three themes developed in early African American writings around African American writings around the issue of slavery: accommodation, the issue of slavery: accommodation, protest, and escapeprotest, and escape


Olaudah Equiano (Gustavus Vassa) Olaudah Equiano (Gustavus Vassa) (c. 1745-c. 1797)(c. 1745-c. 1797)

Eqiano was the first black in America to Eqiano was the first black in America to write an autobiography. In write an autobiography. In The The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African African (1789) Equiano gives an account (1789) Equiano gives an account of his native land (he was an Ibo from of his native land (he was an Ibo from Niger) and the horrors of his captivity and Niger) and the horrors of his captivity and enslavement in the West Indies. enslavement in the West Indies.


Jupiter Hammon (c. 1720-c. 1800)Jupiter Hammon (c. 1720-c. 1800) Poet Jupiter Hammon, a slave on Long Island, New Poet Jupiter Hammon, a slave on Long Island, New York, is remembered for his religious poems as well York, is remembered for his religious poems as well as for as for An Address to the Negroes of the State of New An Address to the Negroes of the State of New YorkYork (1787), in which he advocated freeing children (1787), in which he advocated freeing children of slaves instead of condemning them to hereditary of slaves instead of condemning them to hereditary slavery. His poem "An Evening Thought" was the slavery. His poem "An Evening Thought" was the first poem published by a black male in America.first poem published by a black male in America.

African American LiteratureAfrican American Literature

Lucy Terry (1730-1821)Lucy Terry (1730-1821)

Thought to be the author of the oldest piece of Thought to be the author of the oldest piece of African-American literature, “Bars Fight” a African-American literature, “Bars Fight” a poem written in 1746, about an Indian raid on poem written in 1746, about an Indian raid on settlers in Massachusetts. It was not published settlers in Massachusetts. It was not published until 1855. until 1855.


Harriet Jacobs (1813-1897)Harriet Jacobs (1813-1897)

Her slave narrative, Her slave narrative, Incidents in the Life of a Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl Slave Girl (1861) is the most comprehensive (1861) is the most comprehensive biography of an African American woman biography of an African American woman prior to the Civil War. In it she recounts her prior to the Civil War. In it she recounts her life in slavery in the context of family life in slavery in the context of family relationships reshaping the slave narrative relationships reshaping the slave narrative genre to include women’s experiences.genre to include women’s experiences.


Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784)Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784)

The first African-American and the second The first African-American and the second woman to publish a book in the colonies, she woman to publish a book in the colonies, she is one of the best known early black poets; her is one of the best known early black poets; her work was praised by leaders of the American work was praised by leaders of the American Revolution, including George Washington. Revolution, including George Washington. She is one of the first writers to use an She is one of the first writers to use an epistolary style (in the form of letters).epistolary style (in the form of letters).


Frederick Douglass (1818-1895)Frederick Douglass (1818-1895)Orator, journalist, abolitionist, statesman, Orator, journalist, abolitionist, statesman, autobiographer and author of autobiographer and author of Narrative of the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself Slave, Written by Himself (1845), the most (1845), the most influential African American text of his era. influential African American text of his era. His writing and life created a model of self-His writing and life created a model of self-hood of such moral and political authority, he hood of such moral and political authority, he was later viewed as a cultural hero.was later viewed as a cultural hero.

African American LiteratureAfrican American LiteraturePost-slavery EraPost-slavery Era

W.E.B. DuBois (1868-1963)W.E.B. DuBois (1868-1963)

One of the founders of the NAACP, DuBois One of the founders of the NAACP, DuBois published the highly influential published the highly influential The Souls of The Souls of Black FolkBlack Folk (1903) which created a black (1903) which created a black intellectual and artistic consciousness. He was intellectual and artistic consciousness. He was an essayist, novelist, academic and the an essayist, novelist, academic and the preeminent African American scholar-preeminent African American scholar-intellectual of his time. intellectual of his time.

African American LiteratureAfrican American LiteraturePost-slavery EraPost-slavery Era

Booker T. Washington (1856-1915) Booker T. Washington (1856-1915) autobiographer, essayist, educatorautobiographer, essayist, educator

James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938) poet, James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938) poet, essayist, editor, educatoressayist, editor, educator

Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906) poetPaul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906) poet

African American LiteratureAfrican American LiteratureThe Harlem RenaissanceThe Harlem Renaissance

The artistic and socio-cultural awakening of African The artistic and socio-cultural awakening of African Americans in the 1920s and 1930sAmericans in the 1920s and 1930s

It was centered around the vibrant African American It was centered around the vibrant African American community in Harlem, New York, but had far-community in Harlem, New York, but had far-reaching influence in art, music, literature and social reaching influence in art, music, literature and social thought.thought.

The interplay of art and race, and the aesthetic criteria The interplay of art and race, and the aesthetic criteria for evaluating black writing are some of the for evaluating black writing are some of the intellectual legacies of the Harlem Renaissance.intellectual legacies of the Harlem Renaissance.


Langston Hughes (1902-1967)Langston Hughes (1902-1967)

Poet, playwright, essayist, autobiographer, and Poet, playwright, essayist, autobiographer, and children’s book author, Hughes came to children’s book author, Hughes came to attention in 1922 in the anthology attention in 1922 in the anthology The Book of The Book of American Negro Poetry.American Negro Poetry. His most famous His most famous poem, “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” was poem, “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” was written in his teens.written in his teens.


Zora Neal Hurston (1891-1960)Zora Neal Hurston (1891-1960)

Novelist, anthropologist, folklorist, Hurston left New Novelist, anthropologist, folklorist, Hurston left New York to return to hometown in Florida in 1927. She York to return to hometown in Florida in 1927. She began collecting folktales, work songs, spirituals and began collecting folktales, work songs, spirituals and sermons to document the black experience. In 1935 sermons to document the black experience. In 1935 she published she published Mules and MenMules and Men, the first volume of , the first volume of black American folklore. Her finest novel, black American folklore. Her finest novel, Their Eyes Their Eyes Were Watching God Were Watching God (1937) portrays the life and (1937) portrays the life and journey of a strong female character set in the rural journey of a strong female character set in the rural South. South.


Alain Locke (1886-1954) essayist, editorAlain Locke (1886-1954) essayist, editor Claude McKay (1889-1948) poetClaude McKay (1889-1948) poet Jean Toomer (1894-1967) poetJean Toomer (1894-1967) poet Anne Spencer (1882-1975) poetAnne Spencer (1882-1975) poet

African American LiteratureAfrican American LiteratureRealism, Modernism, NaturalismRealism, Modernism, Naturalism

The 1940s -1960s was an era of social change The 1940s -1960s was an era of social change for African Americans. Influences included the for African Americans. Influences included the Second World War, the Second Great Second World War, the Second Great Migration, world-wide social movements such Migration, world-wide social movements such as communism and Marxism, and early civil as communism and Marxism, and early civil rights legislation which opened up schools and rights legislation which opened up schools and jobs for many African Americans.jobs for many African Americans.

Urban realism – urban sensibility defines Urban realism – urban sensibility defines much of the literature of this era.much of the literature of this era.


Richard Wright (1908-1960) novelist, Richard Wright (1908-1960) novelist, autobiographer, political commentator. His autobiographer, political commentator. His influential and critically acclaimed novel influential and critically acclaimed novel Native SonNative Son (1940) tells the story of a black (1940) tells the story of a black man struggling for acceptance in Chicago. It man struggling for acceptance in Chicago. It garnered him financial success, international garnered him financial success, international fame and his outspoken writing style fame and his outspoken writing style influenced a generation of black writers.influenced a generation of black writers.


Ralph Ellison (1914-1994) novelist, essayist, Ralph Ellison (1914-1994) novelist, essayist, scholar, artist, Ellison’s important novel scholar, artist, Ellison’s important novel Invisible Man Invisible Man (1952) is the story of a nameless (1952) is the story of a nameless black man who learns to assert himself. The black man who learns to assert himself. The Invisible ManInvisible Man is part of the cannon of 20 is part of the cannon of 20 thth Century American literature, though Ellison’s Century American literature, though Ellison’s only major published work. only major published work.


Margaret Walker (1915-1998) poet, novelist, Margaret Walker (1915-1998) poet, novelist, educator (“For My People”; educator (“For My People”; JubileeJubilee))

Gwendolyn Brooks (1917- 2000) poet, novelist, Gwendolyn Brooks (1917- 2000) poet, novelist, children’s writer. Her second book of poetry, children’s writer. Her second book of poetry, Annie Annie AllenAllen won the Pulitzer Prize in 1950. won the Pulitzer Prize in 1950.

James Baldwin (1924-1987) novelist, essayist, James Baldwin (1924-1987) novelist, essayist, playwright, filmmaker, lecturer. The story of his playwright, filmmaker, lecturer. The story of his painful childhood is the subject of his first novel, painful childhood is the subject of his first novel, Go Go Tell It On the MountainTell It On the Mountain

Lorraine Hansberry (1930-1965) her award-winning Lorraine Hansberry (1930-1965) her award-winning play, play, A Raison in the SunA Raison in the Sun is a classic of the American is a classic of the American theater.theater.

African American LiteratureAfrican American LiteratureThe Black Arts MovementThe Black Arts Movement

Social and political forces in the black community in Social and political forces in the black community in the 1960s and 1970s sought to change the way the 1960s and 1970s sought to change the way African Americans were defined and treated. The African Americans were defined and treated. The Black Arts Movement sought to change how blacks Black Arts Movement sought to change how blacks were represented and portrayed in literature and the were represented and portrayed in literature and the arts.arts.

The Black Arts Movement was anchored in political The Black Arts Movement was anchored in political change and the concept that the artist is a part of his change and the concept that the artist is a part of his or her community and their work should speak to the or her community and their work should speak to the needs and aspirations of that community.needs and aspirations of that community.

African American LiteratureAfrican American LiteratureThe Black Arts MovementThe Black Arts Movement

Malcolm X (1925-1965) orator and autobiographer. His Malcolm X (1925-1965) orator and autobiographer. His AutobiographyAutobiography, published after his death, is a major African , published after his death, is a major African American literary work of the 20American literary work of the 20thth Century. It was co-written Century. It was co-written with author Alex Haley.with author Alex Haley.

Amiri Baraka (1934- ) poet, playwright, activist and lecturer Amiri Baraka (1934- ) poet, playwright, activist and lecturer Baraka influenced later poets to write from the contemporary Baraka influenced later poets to write from the contemporary African American experience.African American experience.

Sonia Sanchez (1934- ), poet, essayist, playwright and Sonia Sanchez (1934- ), poet, essayist, playwright and educator, her writing reflects her personal growth to her educator, her writing reflects her personal growth to her commitment to make a more just worldcommitment to make a more just world

Nikki Giovanni (1943- ) poet, essayist, lecturer – this prolific Nikki Giovanni (1943- ) poet, essayist, lecturer – this prolific poet, sometimes referred to as the people’s poet for her down-poet, sometimes referred to as the people’s poet for her down-to-earth style has written much about female identity and to-earth style has written much about female identity and autonomy.autonomy.

African American LiteratureAfrican American LiteratureThe 1970s to the PresentThe 1970s to the Present

African American literature began to enter the African American literature began to enter the mainstream of publishing and be read by black mainstream of publishing and be read by black and white audiences.and white audiences.

African American literature began to be African American literature began to be defined and analyzed.defined and analyzed.

Black women began to achieve success as Black women began to achieve success as novelists, poets, writers and artists. novelists, poets, writers and artists.


Toni Morrison (1931- ) editor, novelist, Toni Morrison (1931- ) editor, novelist, academic, Morrison wrote richly woven stories academic, Morrison wrote richly woven stories often with strong female characters. often with strong female characters. The Bluest The Bluest Eye Eye (1970), (1970), Sula Sula (1973), (1973), Song of Solomon Song of Solomon (1977), (1977), Tar Baby Tar Baby (1981) are some of her great (1981) are some of her great novels. novels. Beloved Beloved (1988) won the Pulitzer Prize (1988) won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1988. She is the first African for fiction in 1988. She is the first African American women to win the Nobel Prize for American women to win the Nobel Prize for Literature ( ).Literature ( ).


Alice Walker (1944- ) novelist and poet, Walker’s Alice Walker (1944- ) novelist and poet, Walker’s best known work, best known work, The Color PurpleThe Color Purple (1982) won the (1982) won the Pulitzer Prize in 1982. It’s the story of two sisters Pulitzer Prize in 1982. It’s the story of two sisters who through separation and trials continue to support who through separation and trials continue to support and strengthen each other. and strengthen each other.

Maya Angelou (1928- ) poet, playwright, Maya Angelou (1928- ) poet, playwright, performer and autobiographer. performer and autobiographer. I Know Why the I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Caged Bird Sings (1970) her serial autobiography is (1970) her serial autobiography is in the pantheon of modern American literature.in the pantheon of modern American literature.


Alex Haley (1921-1992) journalist and Alex Haley (1921-1992) journalist and novelist who’s novelist who’s Roots Roots (1976) about his family (1976) about his family history traced back to West Africa became a history traced back to West Africa became a television event in 1977 and sparked a popular television event in 1977 and sparked a popular interest and pride in African American history interest and pride in African American history and ancestry. He also co-wrote and ancestry. He also co-wrote The The Autobiography of Malcolm X.Autobiography of Malcolm X.


Toni Cade Bambara (1939-1995) novelist, essayist, Toni Cade Bambara (1939-1995) novelist, essayist, filmmaker, her short story collections, filmmaker, her short story collections, Gorilla, My Gorilla, My Love Love (1972) and her novel, (1972) and her novel, The Salt Eaters The Salt Eaters (1980) (1980) demonstrate her commitment to social issues.demonstrate her commitment to social issues.

Ishmael Reed (1938- ) essayist, poet, novelist, and Ishmael Reed (1938- ) essayist, poet, novelist, and publisher, Reed’s cultural activism has made his publisher, Reed’s cultural activism has made his published work hard to define. published work hard to define. Mumbo Jumbo Mumbo Jumbo (1972) (1972) is considered his masterpiece. is considered his masterpiece.


August Wilson (1945-2006) playwright and August Wilson (1945-2006) playwright and poet best known for his cycle of 10 plays poet best known for his cycle of 10 plays about black life in America in the 20about black life in America in the 20 thth Century. Century. He won the Pulitzer Prize for drama for He won the Pulitzer Prize for drama for Fences Fences (1987) and (1987) and

Rita Dove (1952- ) poet, novelist, educator, Rita Dove (1952- ) poet, novelist, educator, Dove won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 1987 Dove won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 1987 for for Thomas and Beulah Thomas and Beulah (1986). She was Poet (1986). She was Poet Laureate of the United States from 1992-1994.Laureate of the United States from 1992-1994.

African American LiteratureAfrican American LiteratureThe Contemporary SceneThe Contemporary Scene

African American writers have entered the African American writers have entered the mainstream of American readership and mainstream of American readership and publish in many genres: romance, mystery, publish in many genres: romance, mystery, science fiction and literary fiction.science fiction and literary fiction.

While issues of identity and race are still While issues of identity and race are still prominent, the range of human issues are also prominent, the range of human issues are also topics of contemporary African American topics of contemporary African American literature. literature.


Edward P. Jones (1951 ) won the Pulitzer Prize in 2004 for Edward P. Jones (1951 ) won the Pulitzer Prize in 2004 for The Known World The Known World (2004) about a black slaveholder in the (2004) about a black slaveholder in the antebellum South.antebellum South.

Stephen L. Carter (1954- ), essayist, legal scholar, novelist. Stephen L. Carter (1954- ), essayist, legal scholar, novelist. The Emperor of Ocean Park The Emperor of Ocean Park and and New England WhiteNew England White look at look at the black middle class.the black middle class.

Walter Mosley (1952- ), popular novelist known for crime Walter Mosley (1952- ), popular novelist known for crime fiction such as fiction such as Devil in a Blue Dress Devil in a Blue Dress (1990).(1990).

Terry McMillan (1951- ) professor, author, editor Terry McMillan (1951- ) professor, author, editor McMillan’s work, such as McMillan’s work, such as Waiting to ExhaleWaiting to Exhale (1992) and (1992) and How How Stella Got Her Groove Back Stella Got Her Groove Back (1995) often center around (1995) often center around contemporary black family life and loves.contemporary black family life and loves.


Edwidge Danticat (1969- ) author, educator. Her Edwidge Danticat (1969- ) author, educator. Her Breath, Eyes, Memory Breath, Eyes, Memory (1994) was brought to national (1994) was brought to national attention as an “Oprah book.” attention as an “Oprah book.” Brother, I’m Dying Brother, I’m Dying (2007) won the National Book Critics Circle Award (2007) won the National Book Critics Circle Award in 2008.in 2008.

ZZ Packer (1973- ) lecturer, short story writer. Her ZZ Packer (1973- ) lecturer, short story writer. Her short story collection short story collection Drinking Coffee Elsewhere Drinking Coffee Elsewhere (2003) received wide acclaim.(2003) received wide acclaim.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (1977- ) Nigerian-born Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (1977- ) Nigerian-born writer who’s novel about the Biafran war, writer who’s novel about the Biafran war, Half a Half a Yellow Sun Yellow Sun (2006) has placed her firmly on the (2006) has placed her firmly on the American and international literary scene.American and international literary scene.

Here are some great web sites for Here are some great web sites for further research: further research:

http://www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/

The American Memory Project: Library of The American Memory Project: Library of Congress: Congress: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/index.html

Slave Narrative Projects from the Slave Narrative Projects from the Library of Congress: Library of Congress:

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/voices/

North American Slave Narratives from the Documenting the North American Slave Narratives from the Documenting the American South Project at the University of North Carolina: American South Project at the University of North Carolina:

http://docsouth.unc.edu/neh/texts.html

Digital Library on American Slavery, U North Carolina at Digital Library on American Slavery, U North Carolina at Greensboro: http://library.uncg.edu/slavery/index.aspx?Greensboro: http://library.uncg.edu/slavery/index.aspx?

s=3s=3

Ex Slave Narratives (Library of Congress Digitizes Slave Ex Slave Narratives (Library of Congress Digitizes Slave Narratives):Narratives):

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/awhhtml/awafc11/ex-slave.html

Faces and Voices (Library of Congress): Faces and Voices (Library of Congress): http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/voices/vfhttp://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/voices/vf

ssp.htmlssp.html

Other resources from the Library of Congress: Other resources from the Library of Congress: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/voices/vfsresource.htmlhttp://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/voices/vfsresource.html

American Slave Narratives from the University of Virginia’s American Slave Narratives from the University of Virginia’s Crossroads Project: Crossroads Project:

http://xroads.virginia.edu/~hyper/wpa/wpahome.htmlhttp://xroads.virginia.edu/~hyper/wpa/wpahome.html

Slave Narratives with links to Full Text! Slave Narratives with links to Full Text! http://afroamhistory.about.com/od/slavenarratives/Slave_Narratives.htm

The Slave Narrative Project from Washington State The Slave Narrative Project from Washington State University: University: http://www.wsu.edu/~campbelld/amlit/slave.htm

American Treasures from the Library of Congress: American Treasures from the Library of Congress:

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trr004.htmlhttp://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trr004.html

African American Texts at University of Virginia E-Text African American Texts at University of Virginia E-Text Project: Project:

http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/ebooks/subjects/subjects-afam.html

Can also look for full text of many books through Can also look for full text of many books through this site: http://demo.openlibrary.orgthis site: http://demo.openlibrary.org

More information on American Authors may be found at: More information on American Authors may be found at: http://www.lang.nagoya-u.ac.jp/~matsuoka/AmeLit.html#1920

And, this site on American Literature: And, this site on American Literature: http://guweb2.gonzaga.edu/faculty/campbell/enl413/sites.htm

And, finally full text literatures collections, courtesy of the And, finally full text literatures collections, courtesy of the Rutgers University LibrariesRutgers University Libraries::

http://www.libraries.rutgers.edu/rul/rr_gateway/research_guides/eng_lit/eng_full-text_lit.shtml

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African American Literature History and Current Trends