Description
Book SynopsisThis text challenges the assumption that African American literature aptly reflects black American social consciousness. It delineates the social and political forces that shaped leading black literary works and shows that divisions between political thinkers prevailed throughout the 20th century.
Trade ReviewRobert Washington's painstaking comparison of five black literary movements is certain to stimulate debate, reflection, outrage. Literary sociology is rarely as provocative as this. Members of the black literary community, and the white liberals, who have appeared to support them, will need to respond to Washington's devastating analysis. -- Wendy Griswold, Northwestern University
Exploring in unique and powerful ways the shaping forces of a literary movement, this exciting work of scholarship shifts the ways we must read Afro-American literature. With precision and analytical skill, Washington carries us persuasively into heretofore neglected domains of black literature and its production in the United States. -- Houston A. Baker, Jr., Duke University
The Ideologies of African American Literature is a powerful and truly engaging book. It is packed with insights on how the ideological climate of American race relations influenced the writings of the dominant black literary schools from the 1920s through the 1960s. Robert Washington's scholarship is impressive and his provocative arguments will be discussed and debated for many years. -- William Julius Wilson, Lewis P. and Linda L. Geyser University Professor, Harvard University
Ideologies of African American Literature is the most sophisticated analysis of the sociology of black literature yet published. This book is superior in every way, and is essential reading for all students of the African American literary tradition. -- Henry Louis Gates Jr., Harvard University
An extremely impressive book offering a provocative interpretation that is certain to be discussed and argued about. * CHOICE *
This thoroughly informative book not only expands our understanding of African American literature but also challenges future scholarship. * Ethnic and Racial Studies *
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Introduction: Black American Literature in Sociological Perspective Chapter 2 The Era of the Primitivist School: The Beginning of Black American Literature's Public Role Chapter 3 The Era of the Naturalistic Protest School: The Politicization of Black American Literature Chapter 4 The Era of the Existentialist School: Political Disillusionment and Retreat into Individualism Chapter 5 The Era of the Moral Suasion School: Political Re-Engagement through Protest for Civil Rights Chapter 6 Amiri Baraka and the Rise of the Counterhegemonic Black Cultural Nationalist School Chapter 7 A Theoretical Overview Chapter 8 Epilogue: The New Postpolitical Black Literary Culture Chapter 9 Index
