African American Literature in Transition, 1865-1880: Volume 5, 1865-1880: Black Reconstructions

This volume explores Black engagement with print in the transitional years after the Civil War, highlighting materials that are often overlooked in narratives of American culture. It emphasizes innovative approaches and recognizes the importance of period texts in understanding socio-historical and cultural trends. Chapters are grouped into three sections, focusing on debates over race, nation, personhood, and print during Reconstruction.

Format: Hardback
Length: 330 pages
Publication date: 13 May 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This comprehensive volume provides the most intricate exploration of Black engagement with print during the transformative years following the Civil War. By uncovering and examining materials that often fall outside the purview of traditional narratives of American culture, it offers a fresh perspective on the literary landscape of this period. While the recovery of these overlooked materials is undoubtedly significant, African American Literature in Transition, 1865–1880 also emphasizes innovative approaches, recognizing that this endeavor inherently challenges the dominant methodologies in American literary study.

At the heart of this book lies the recognition that numerous period texts, penned by writers ranging from Frances Ellen Watkins Harper and William Wells Brown to Mattie Jackson and William Steward, are not only visually captivating but also vital in understanding crucial socio-historical and cultural trends of the nineteenth century. The chapters, written by esteemed scholars, are organized into three sections: Citizenships, Textualities, and Domesticities; Persons and Bodies; and Memories, Materialities, and Locations. These sections delve into the ongoing debates over race, nation, personhood, and print that were central to Reconstruction.

Through its comprehensive analysis, African American Literature in Transition, 1865–1880 sheds light on the complex and multifaceted ways in which Black individuals and communities interacted with print media during a period of immense change and upheaval. It challenges preconceived notions and provides a deeper understanding of the role that literature played in shaping the identities and experiences of African Americans during this critical juncture in history. This book is a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in exploring the rich and diverse literary landscape of the post-Civil War era.

Weight: 608g
Dimension: 162 x 236 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108427470