African-American literature

Phillis_Wheatley_frontispiece

LangstonHughes_crop

Ralph_Ellison_photo_portrait_seated

ToniMorrison_WestPointLecture_2013

African-American literature is a body of literature produced in the United States by writers of African-American descent. This genre traces its origins to the works of such late 18th-century writers as Phillis Wheatley and Olaudah Equiano, reaching early high points with slave narratives and the Harlem Renaissance, and continuing today with authors such as Toni Morrison and Maya Angelou.

History[edit | edit source]

18th and 19th Centuries[edit | edit source]

The earliest African-American literature was focused on the "slave narratives," which were autobiographical accounts of life in bondage. Notable examples include Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave by Frederick Douglass and Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs. These works were crucial in the abolitionist movement, providing firsthand accounts of the brutality of slavery.

Harlem Renaissance[edit | edit source]

The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural, social, and artistic explosion centered in Harlem, New York, spanning the 1920s. Key figures included Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Claude McKay. This period marked a significant moment in African-American cultural history, as it was the first time that mainstream publishers and critics took African-American literature seriously.

Civil Rights Movement[edit | edit source]

During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, African-American literature saw a resurgence. Writers like James Baldwin, Ralph Ellison, and Richard Wright explored themes of racial identity, social justice, and the African-American experience in America.

Contemporary Literature[edit | edit source]

In recent decades, African-American literature has continued to evolve, with authors such as Toni Morrison, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993, and Alice Walker, who won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for her novel The Color Purple. Contemporary African-American literature often addresses issues of race, gender, and identity in modern America.

Themes[edit | edit source]

African-American literature often explores themes such as racial identity, the struggle for equality, cultural heritage, and the African-American experience. These themes are often interwoven with broader American themes, reflecting the complex history and culture of the United States.