Unit 15 African American Literature & Native American Literature

African American Literature Writing Oneself into Humanity and Slave Narrative: Writing Oneself into Humanity and Slave Narrative: James Albert Ukawsaw Gronniosaw’s “talking book” and A Narrative of the most remarkable particulars in the life of James Albert Ukawsaw Gronniosaw, an African Prince (1770) ; James Albert Ukawsaw Gronniosaw’s “talking book” and A Narrative of the most remarkable particulars in the life of James Albert Ukawsaw Gronniosaw, an African Prince (1770) ; Phillis Wheatley Phillis Wheatley

African American Literature The Vernacular Tradition (Oral Tradition): It consists of forms sacred—songs, prayers, and sermons—as well as secular—work songs, secular rhymes and songs, blues, jazz, rap and stories of many kinds. The Vernacular Tradition (Oral Tradition): It consists of forms sacred—songs, prayers, and sermons—as well as secular—work songs, secular rhymes and songs, blues, jazz, rap and stories of many kinds. “Vernacular art accounts, to a large degree, for the black American’s legacy of self-awareness and endurance.” (Ralph Ellison) “Vernacular art accounts, to a large degree, for the black American’s legacy of self-awareness and endurance.” (Ralph Ellison) “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel?” “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel?”

African American Literature Harlem Renaissance: to build a Harlem Renaissance: to build a counter culture, a battle literature, counter culture, a battle literature, a literature which reflects the feeling, a literature which reflects the feeling, the experience, the history, and the the experience, the history, and the ambitions of the Black people. ambitions of the Black people. Langston Hughes (1902—1967): Langston Hughes (1902—1967): “Drum”, “Dreams”, “Me and the Mule” “Drum”, “Dreams”, “Me and the Mule” “Border Line” “Border Line” Langston Hughes, Novelist and Poet, 1936

African American Literature Ralph Ellison (1914—1994 ): Invisible Man (1952), an archetypal existential story of modern times. Ralph Ellison (1914—1994 ): Invisible Man (1952), an archetypal existential story of modern times. First edition (Random House, 1952), won the National Book Award in 1953Random House National Book Award

African American Literature Toni Morrison (1931—): “Recitatif” (1983) and Beloved (1987) Toni Morrison (1931—): “Recitatif” (1983) and Beloved (1987) 1. Who is the protagonist in “Recitatif” ？ 1. Who is the protagonist in “Recitatif” ？ 2. What significant role does Maggie play in this scenario from “Recitatif”? 2. What significant role does Maggie play in this scenario from “Recitatif”? 3. What is the main struggle of the protagonist? 3. What is the main struggle of the protagonist? 4. How does Twyla Benson change in the story from the beginning to the end? 4. How does Twyla Benson change in the story from the beginning to the end? 1st edition cover

Native American Literature Indian (colonizer’s name, a mistake) or Native? The name issue. Indian (colonizer’s name, a mistake) or Native? The name issue. Speaking or Writing? The oral tradition and the power of words. Speaking or Writing? The oral tradition and the power of words. Healing the nature: Iron Eyes Cody as the Crying Indian Healing the nature: Iron Eyes Cody as the Crying Indian

Native American Literature The Native American Renaissance: The Native American Renaissance: N. Scott Momaday’s House Made of Dawn (1968), N. Scott Momaday’s House Made of Dawn (1968), James Welch’s Winter in the Blood (1974), James Welch’s Winter in the Blood (1974), Leslie Marmon Silko’s Ceremony (1977), Leslie Marmon Silko’s Ceremony (1977), Louise Erdrich’s Love Medicine (1984) Louise Erdrich’s Love Medicine (1984)

Native American Literature Louise Erdrich (1954-): an enrolled member Louise Erdrich (1954-): an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, an American author of novels, poetry, and children’s an American author of novels, poetry, and children’s books featuring Native American characters and settings. books featuring Native American characters and settings. Love Medicine (1984, 1993, 2009): The book explores 60 years in the lives of a small group of Chippewa living in North Dakota. It won the 1984 National Book Critics Circle Award. Love Medicine (1984, 1993, 2009): The book explores 60 years in the lives of a small group of Chippewa living in North Dakota. It won the 1984 National Book Critics Circle Award.

Thank you!