African American Literature in Transition, 1830-1850: Volume 3

This book explores how African American literature fosters transitions between material cultures and contexts from 1830 to 1850, showcasing how African American literature and lived experiences shaped one another. It focuses on the interplay between pivotal political and social events and key African American cultural productions, examining the relationship between African American literature and institutions such as the press and the post office.

Format: Hardback
Length: 326 pages
Publication date: 13 May 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This comprehensive volume explores the intricate ways in which African American literature facilitated the transition between material cultures and contexts from 1830 to 1850. It showcases a rich array of works that delves into the reciprocal influence between African American literature and lived experiences, shedding light on the profound impact of these interactions. The book is organized into chapters that focus on the interplay between significant political and social events, such as emancipation in the West Indies, the Irish Famine, and the Fugitive Slave Act, as well as key African American cultural productions, including the poetry of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, the writings of David Walker, and the genre of the Slave Narrative. Additionally, the chapters examine the relationship between African American literature and various institutions, including the press and the post office. These chapters are thoughtfully grouped into three sections, each dedicated to exploring transitions within a specific geographic scale: the local, the national, and the transnational. Collectively, they provide a vital account of how African Americans harnessed the power of the written word to respond to and shape the events and institutions of the 1830s, 1840s, and beyond. This volume serves as a valuable resource for scholars, students, and enthusiasts of African American literature and history, offering a deeper understanding of the complex and dynamic interplay between culture, literature, and society during this pivotal period.

Weight: 604g
Dimension: 160 x 238 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108422949