1. Choosing Voice Over Silence: American Ethnic Literature
Prof. Carrillo

2. American Cultures American Ethnic literature…
Breaks traditional boundaries
Redefines the very notion of “American”
Rethinks and repositions literature
Themes are universal to American Dream

3. New Developments in Genres
Autobiography
Richard Wright, Black Boy
Short Story
Sandra Cisneros, The House on Mango Street
Novel
Alice Walker, The Color Purple

4. Three Groups The most recent scholarship focuses on these three groups
Only in the last 20 years have they been
recognized
African American: Wright, Hughes, Ellison, Baldwin
Asian American: Kingston, Tan
Mexican American/Chicano: Cisneros, Soto, Anaya

5. Three Models of Study Pre 1960s: Anglo centric
1960s-1980s: Anglo Centric with additives of ethnic literature
1990s-present: Social/historical/political centric

6. Central Themes
Community—looking at the group as a whole and its interaction within society
Family—the importance of relationships and ancestry “I know your people” (Song of Solomon)
Individual—growth, maturity (bildungsroman)

7. Affirms Identity
“We have a whole generation growing up without ever seeing themselves in print. What does it mean if you don’t see yourself in books? There is a strong connection between images and identity” Pat Mora, Latina poet and writer

8. Purpose for Ethnic Literature
To provide knowledge on diverse cultures
To provide varying cultural perspectives
To develop critical thinking skills
To develop an appreciation for diversity