European-language Writing in Sub-Saharan AfricaThe first major comparative study of African writing in western languages, European-language Writing in Sub-Saharan Africa, edited by Albert S. Gérard, falls into four wide-ranging sections: an overview of early contacts and colonial developments Under Western Eyes ; chapters on Black Consciousness manifest in the debates over Panafricanism and Negritude; a group of essays on mental decolonization expressed in Black Power texts at the time of independence struggles; and finally Comparative Vistas, sketching directions that future comparative study might explore. An introductory essay stresses the millennia of writing in Africa, side by side with a richly eloquent and artistic set of vernacular oral traditions; written and oral traditions have become interwoven in adaptations of imported forms and linguistic innovations that challenge traditional high literary norms. Gérard uses the mathematical concept of fuzzy sets to explain why the focus on Black Africa has led him to set aside for future analysis the literatures produced in North Africa, which fall under the influence of Muslim civilization, as well as the diasporic literatures of the New World. Over sixty scholars from twenty-two countries contribute specialized studies of creative writing by leading authors in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries such as Achebe, Mphahlele, Ngugi, Senghor, Soyinka, and Tutuola. Critical analyses are organized primarily around regions, reflecting different colonial languages imposed through schools and other social institutions. Some authors trace the adaptation of western genres, others identify syncretism with folktales or myths. The volumes are attentive to the heterogeneity of national literatures addressed to polyethnic and multilingual populations, and they note the instrumental politics of language in newly independent states. A closing chapter, Tasks Ahead, identifies areas for future scholars to explore. |
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Page 98
... the student of African literature; for, as has often been asserted, here perhaps more than anywhere else in the world, literature is a major element of culture which, in turn, is definitively linked to the historical process.
... the student of African literature; for, as has often been asserted, here perhaps more than anywhere else in the world, literature is a major element of culture which, in turn, is definitively linked to the historical process.
Page 102
19l6)——both of partly Vai origine—have become Liberia's major post-war writers. Roland Dempster, poet laureate of Liberia, and president and founder of the Association of Liberian Writers, taught World Literature at the university while ...
19l6)——both of partly Vai origine—have become Liberia's major post-war writers. Roland Dempster, poet laureate of Liberia, and president and founder of the Association of Liberian Writers, taught World Literature at the university while ...
Page 121
This is much to be deplored, for he had obviously more talent and insight than Diagne, and his description of urban life in Senegal initiated a major trend in Senegalese fiction, a trend which was later to be illustrated in the novels ...
This is much to be deplored, for he had obviously more talent and insight than Diagne, and his description of urban life in Senegal initiated a major trend in Senegalese fiction, a trend which was later to be illustrated in the novels ...
Page 129
Racism is touched on briefly here and there but is not a major concern. The conflicts seem to result more from two different conceptions of life than from the relationship of exploiter to exploited, which dominates later fiction.
Racism is touched on briefly here and there but is not a major concern. The conflicts seem to result more from two different conceptions of life than from the relationship of exploiter to exploited, which dominates later fiction.
Page 138
It ranked as a major theme in much African writing of the late fifties, but Gadeau was the first to provide an outspoken dramatic indictment of forced labour. The play was suppressed by the censor. Perhaps in order to ingratiate himself ...
It ranked as a major theme in much African writing of the late fifties, but Gadeau was the first to provide an outspoken dramatic indictment of forced labour. The play was suppressed by the censor. Perhaps in order to ingratiate himself ...
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achievement activity African Literature appeared became become beginning British called Cape century character Christian civilization collection colonial concerned contribution creative critical cultural described drama early edition emergence English especially European example experience expression fact fiction first followed France French hand human important independence influence intellectual interest issue journal language late later literary living London major means narrative native nature negritude Nigerian noir novel original Paris perhaps period play poems poet poetry political Portuguese present Press printed problems produced prose protest publication published race racial remained represented seems Senghor sense short shows significant social society South African story theme tion traditional translation turn University values village West Western writers written Yoruba young
Informations bibliographiques
| Titre | European-language Writing in Sub-Saharan Africa Comparative History of Literatures in European Languages |
| Rédacteur | Albert S. Gérard |
| Éditeur | John Benjamins Publishing, 1986 |
| ISBN | 9027274681, 9789027274687 |
| Longueur | 1288 pages |
| Exporter la citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |