African American Literature in Transition, 1900-1910: Volume 7

African American Literature in Transition, 1900–1910 is a comprehensive study of African American literature and culture during a critical period of change. It explores the work of Black authors, artists, and intellectuals who shaped the New Negro identity and paved the way for the Harlem Renaissance. The book covers key themes such as Black publishing, genre innovation, race, class, and gender politics, and offers a radical re-conceptualization of this understudied period in African American literary history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 378 pages
Publication date: 13 May 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

African American Literature in Transition, 1900–1910, is a comprehensive and interdisciplinary exploration of early twentieth-century African American literature and culture. It showcases the literary and cultural productions that emerged during the critical years following Reconstruction, but preceding the Harlem Renaissance, a period often referred to as the nadir of African American history. The book delves into the dynamic endeavors of Black authors, painters, photographers, poets, editors, boxers, and entertainers who worked tirelessly to shape new Negro identities and forge a new course for a new century.

The book is organized into four key areas: Black publishing and print culture; innovations in genre and form; the race, class, and gender politics of literary and cultural production; and new geographies of Black literary history. These overarching themes, complemented by the introduction of established figures and movements, alongside lesser-known texts and original research, offer a radical re-conceptualization of this critical yet understudied period in African American literary history.

Within these sections, the book explores the emergence of Black newspapers, magazines, and journals, which played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and promoting the New Negro identity. It also examines the innovative literary genres and forms that emerged during this period, such as the blues, jazz, and African American fiction, which challenged traditional literary conventions and offered new perspectives on African American experiences.

The race, class, and gender politics of literary and cultural production are also examined in depth. The book highlights the struggles and challenges faced by Black authors and artists in a society that was often dominated by white supremacy and discrimination. It explores how they used their work to challenge these oppressive systems and advocate for social justice and equality.

Furthermore, the book explores new geographies of Black literary history, highlighting the contributions of African American writers and artists who were marginalized or overlooked by mainstream literary institutions. It sheds light on the literary and cultural movements that emerged in various regions, such as the Black Arts Movement in the United States and the Négritude movement in Africa, and how they shaped the African American literary landscape.

In conclusion, African American Literature in Transition, 1900–1910, is a groundbreaking work that offers a fresh and insightful perspective on this critical period in African American literary history. It provides a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to the literature, culture, and politics of the time, and sheds light on the remarkable contributions of Black authors, artists, and intellectuals who shaped the course of African American history.

Weight: 660g
Dimension: 235 x 158 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108422086