An Intro to African American Literature

African Diaspora Refers to the communities throughout the world that have resulted by descent from the movement in historic times of peoples from Africa, predominantly to the Americas and among other areas around the globe.

1. Characteristics and Themes That typify the African American literature movement

The consequence of the single story is this: it robs people of dignity The consequence of the single story is this: it robs people of dignity. It makes our recognition of our equal humanity difficult. It emphasizes that we are different rather than how we are similar. - Chimamanda Adichie

Characteristics of African American Literature Pre-dates independent America Expressive subtlety Social insights Illuminates assessments on American identities and history Critical acclaim in 1970s Began in the 18th century

2. Antebellum Literature The start of the movement

Antebellum Literature N. America: 2nd half of the 18th century “All men are created equal” Phyllis Wheatley: Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral (1773) Oladauh Equiano - pioneered the slave narrative

Antebellum Literature: 19th century Slavery Standard bearers of African American Literature spoke about the need to address the terrible sin of slavery. Freedom’s Journal (1827); a collection of essays, poems, fiction, & conventional journalism. Extolled achievements of African Americans. Lobbied for the end of slavery.

Antebellum Literature Slave Narratives From 1830 to the end of the slave era. Anti-slavery movement sponsored these first-hand autobiographical accounts of slavery. Appealed largely to middle-class Americans. Poetry, Prose, Drama William Wells Brown authored the first black American novel (1853): Clotel (The President’s Daughter). Frances Ellen Watkins Harper: “The Two Offers” (1859) Harriet E. Wilson: Our Nig Oral Tradition Communal consciousness. Song & story gave substance and inspiration to much of the written AAL. Spirituals, Fables, Songs, Gospel.

3. The Civil War and Reconstruction The movement continues

Hopes high for a new era of freedom and opportunity The Civil War Outbreak of Civil War “War to end slavery” Charlotte Forten: author of the most important African American diary in the 19th century End of Civil War Hopes high for a new era of freedom and opportunity

Unprecedented optimism Reconstruction 1865-77 short-lived Unprecedented optimism Elizabeth Keckley: Thirty Years a Slave and Four Years in the White House (1863) Anticipation of progress

4. Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries The movement continues

Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries Educational opportunity expanded Self-conscious black middle class authors Reconcilement of earlier tones & topics with a real socio-political agenda Racial justice

Most successful author to write in dialect Paul Laurence Dunbar Most successful author to write in dialect First professional African American Author FOUR novels & lots of poetry

The NOVEL as social analysis Direct confrontation of key issues: Prejudices Stereotypes Racial mythologies No more allowances for whites to ignore worsening social conditions

Other Notable Authors Booker T. Washington W.E.B. DuBois

5. The Harlem Renaissance The movement continues

The Harlem Renaissance Flowering in literature Assertiveness and confidence Questioned traditional “white” aesthetic standards Self-expression Racial pride Literary experimentation Receptivity to black writing Lasted long into the 1930s

The Harlem Renaissance: Notable Authors Countee Cullen Langston Hughes Claude McKay Rudolph Fisher Zora Neale Hurston Jean Toomer

The movement continues 6. Urban Realism The movement continues

Depreciation of black writing, art, and culture in the 1930s Urban Realism Depreciation of black writing, art, and culture in the 1930s Great Depression 1930s and 40s Depreciated work of Harlem Renaissance Shift to political engagement Socially critical realism

Urban Realism: Notable Authors Richard Wright Margaret Walker Dorothy West Ralph Ellison James Baldwin

7. The Literature of the Civil Rights The movement continues

The Literature of the Civil Rights “All art is ultimately social” Civil rights movement Murder of Emmett Till Energized by the freedom struggles Creative Imaginative 1950s and 60s

Civil Rights: Notable Authors Gwendolyn Brooks Amiri Baraka Margaret Esse Danner Naomi Long Madgett

The movement continues 8. Renaissance in the 1970s The movement continues

Literary, cultural, political developments 1950s and 60s Renaissance in the 1970s Literary, cultural, political developments 1950s and 60s Visibility of female authors Expanding presence of female expressiveness in AAL Women’s movement “The black women’s literary renaissance”

Renaissance in the 1970s: Notable Authors Toni Morrison Alice Walker