Outside Literary Studies: Black Criticism and the University

Outside Literary Studies investigates how midcentury Black writers built a critical practice tuned to the struggle against racism and colonialism. It reveals a vibrant history of interpretive resistance to university-based New Criticism by Black writers of the American left, including Langston Hughes and Lorraine Hansberry, and highlights the importance of Black literary and interpretive practices in supporting communist and other radical world-making efforts.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 18 April 2022
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

Outside Literary Studies delves into the rich history of the profession, shedding light on how midcentury Black writers crafted a critical practice that was deeply rooted in the fight against racism and colonialism. This groundbreaking contribution to Black literary studies explores the strategies employed by Black writers in the mid-twentieth century to challenge and redefine the institutionalization of literary studies in America. In his compelling work, Andy Hines uncovers a vibrant tapestry of interpretive resistance against the university-based New Criticism, pioneered by Black writers on the American left. This remarkable group includes renowned figures such as Langston Hughes and Lorraine Hansberry, as well as lesser-known talents like Melvin B. Tolson and Doxey Wilkerson. Through their critical practice, these Black writers not only exposed the racist underpinnings of the New Criticism but also established Black literary and interpretive practices to bolster communist and other radical world-making endeavors during the mid-twentieth century. Hines' book makes several significant contributions to literary studies, highlighting a canon of Black literary works that played a pivotal role in the struggle against racism. It also fills in the historical gaps preceding the rise of Black studies and the ongoing resistance against the neoliberal university. By delving into this overlooked chapter of literary history, Outside Literary Studies offers valuable insights into the complex interplay between race, literature, and social movements, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the past and the ongoing challenges facing the field.

Dimension: 216 x 140 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226818580