Unmasking Racism. A Study of Afro-American literature

The following essays analyzes Afro-American literature regarding cultural criticism.

Afro-American literature is, by its very nature, a social and cultural art whose study requires adopting cultural criticism. True, formalist critics, who claim that the literary text is all that matters, call for studying the text away from its cultural and social influences, which they accuse of corrupting the artistic experience, but this so-called separation is not suitable for minority literature such as Afro-American literature which is intimately connected to its cultural, historical, ideological conditions. “Black literature” as Henry L. Gates believes “came to be seen as a cultural artifact (the product of unique historical forces) or as a document that bore witness to the political and emotional tendencies of the Negro victim of white racism”.

It can be stated that Afro-American literature emanates from a discrete cultural condition which is marked by marginalization, racism, persecution and injustice because the experience of black American writers’ as a disenfranchised, oppressed group in America has its noticeable effect on their literary works. In other words, Afro-American literature and African Americans’ life have been directly interrelated because the black writers never “separate literature from life” (Fuller 264). Thus, critics of Afro-American literature should take into consideration the relations between the text and sociology, between aesthetic regards and cultural considerations, between fiction and ideology.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Afro-American Literature and Cultural Criticism
• The Social and Political Purpose of Afro-American Literature
• Racism and the Quest for Identity
• The Influence of Western Philosophy on Racial Stereotypes
• The Rise of Afro-American Literature as a Response to Racism
• The Importance of Afro-American Literature for the Black Case

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This text examines the origins and development of Afro-American literature, analyzing its unique characteristics as a response to racism and the quest for equality and identity. It explores the historical context and cultural influences that shaped this literary tradition, highlighting the role of African-American writers in challenging prevalent racist stereotypes and asserting their place in American society.

• The relationship between Afro-American literature and cultural criticism
• The social and political purpose of Afro-American literature
• The impact of racism on African-American identity and self-expression
• The influence of Western philosophical thought on racial stereotypes
• The role of Afro-American literature in challenging racist ideologies and promoting equality

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Afro-American Literature and Cultural Criticism: This chapter explores the intersection of Afro-American literature with cultural criticism, arguing that the study of this genre requires a nuanced understanding of its social and historical context. It critiques the formalist approach, which emphasizes textual analysis in isolation from cultural influences, and emphasizes the importance of considering the unique experiences of African-American writers.
• The Social and Political Purpose of Afro-American Literature: This chapter examines the socio-political motivations behind Afro-American literature, highlighting its role as a tool for resistance against white domination and a vehicle for promoting African-American identity and equality. It discusses the themes of racism, survival, and the search for self-definition that permeate this literary tradition.
• Racism and the Quest for Identity: This chapter delves into the impact of racism on African-American identity, showcasing how this experience manifests in the themes and narratives of Afro-American literature. It highlights the struggle for self-affirmation in the face of prejudice and discrimination.
• The Influence of Western Philosophy on Racial Stereotypes: This chapter examines how Western philosophical thought, particularly during the Enlightenment, contributed to the formation of racist stereotypes and justifications for slavery. It analyzes the works of prominent thinkers such as Francis Bacon, David Hume, Immanuel Kant, and Georg W.F. Hegel, highlighting their views on the supposed intellectual inferiority of Africans.
• The Rise of Afro-American Literature as a Response to Racism: This chapter explores the emergence of Afro-American literature as a direct response to the racist theories and practices prevalent in American society. It emphasizes the role of African-American writers in combating these prejudices through their creative work and asserting their right to a voice and self-representation.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

Afro-American literature, cultural criticism, racism, identity, equality, social and political purpose, Western philosophy, slavery, stereotypes, resistance, self-expression, creativity, African-American subjectivity.

Details

• Hochschule: Mansoura University (Faculty of Arts)
• Veranstaltung: American literature
• Note: Excellent
• Autor: Hamada AbdElfattah Yousef (Autor:in)
• Erscheinungsjahr: 2023
• Seiten: 46
• Katalognummer: V1436532
• ISBN (eBook): 9783346996336
• ISBN (Buch): 9783346996343
• Sprache: Englisch
• Schlagworte: unmasking racism study afro-american