The Origins of African-American Literature: 1680-1865.by Dickson D. Bruce Jr. The University Press of Virginia December 2001 $19.50, ISBN ISBN abbr. International Standard Book Number ISBN International Standard Book Number ISBN n abbr (= International Standard Book Number) → ISBN m 0-813-92067-1 The earliest black writers believed in the "power of literature to change minds," says Dickson D. Bruce Jr., in his thoughtful study of the social conditions that fostered and shaped African-American literary expression in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. through the colonial period Colonial Period may generally refer to any period in a country's history when it was subject to administration by a colonial power.
Part social history and part literary analysis, The Origins of African American Literature African American literature is the body of literature produced in the United States by writers of African descent. The genre traces its origins to the works of such late 18th century writers as Phillis Wheatley and Olaudah Equiano, reached early high points with slave narratives chronicles the development of an authoritative African-American voice that--using established literary forms--enabled blacks to participate in race debates and larger discussions involving American ideals of liberty and republicanism. Bruce examines the careers of well-known and obscure writers, including both free people of color In the history of slavery in the Americas, a free person of color was a person of full or partial African descent who was not enslaved. In the United States, such persons were referred to as "free negroes," though many were, in fact, mulattos. and fugitive slaves. He also explains how each generation of black writers borrowed from and built upon earlier literary and oral traditions. Bruce traces the evolution of the "African-American voice" through its various stages: religious, sentimental, political and ultimately, revolutionary, while exploring the ways in which white people on both sides of the slavery issue relied on black voices to support their positions. He also looks at the collaborative relationships between blacks and whites within the abolitionist camp, differing views on African colonization, and the gradual push among black activists towards establishing their own publications. While Bruce's language is a bit ponderous pon·der·ous adj. 1. Having great weight. 2. Unwieldy from weight or bulk. 3. Lacking grace or fluency; labored and dull: a ponderous speech. See Synonyms at heavy. , his arguments are well documented and persuasive, providing an enlightening, comprehensive picture of how African Americans were able to use their unique experiences to claim a space in the "realm of public discourse." --Denise Simon is a freelance writer living in Brooklyn. |
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