The Norton Anthology of African American Literature stands as a cornerstone in the study of African American literary history. Edited by esteemed scholars including Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Nellie Y. McKay, this anthology offers a rich and diverse collection of works spanning centuries. It is designed to provide students, instructors, and general readers with a comprehensive understanding of the African American literary tradition.
Overview and Structure
Organized to mirror traditional literary surveys, the anthology includes writings from prominent black authors such as:
- Phillis Wheatley
- Frederick Douglass
- Richard Wright
The anthology is divided into sections that approximate chronological divisions of American literary history. This structure helps readers trace the evolution of African American literature over time.
Competent scholarly introductions by period specialists provide valuable context. These introductions are written by:
- William L. Andrews (18th and 19th century)
- Richard Yarborough (19th and early 20th century)
- Arnold Rampersad (20th century)
- Barbara T. Christian (20th century and women’s literature)
These introductions enhance the reader's understanding of each period's unique literary contributions.
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Key Features of the Fourth Edition
The fourth edition of The Norton Anthology of African American Literature brings the collection to the present day with vibrant revisions. The anthology is further enlivened by a dynamic, multimodal ebook.
Key features of the fourth edition include:
- Revised Contemporary Period: Two new editors, Jesse McCarthy and Farah Jasmine Griffin, have fully revised the contemporary period with selections that engage today’s students.
- Ebook Availability: Now available as ebooks, enhanced with embedded video, audio, and annotation tools.
- New Selections: 98 new selections from across the African American literary landscape.
- New Writers: Introduction of writers such as Jesmyn Ward, Claudia Rankine, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and Teju Cole.
- Additional Texts: Inclusion of texts like “The Last and Dying Words of Mark” (1755), a cluster of texts about nineteenth-century African American migration, and Zora Neale Hurston’s “The Eatonville Anthology.”
The Academic Influence
The study and production of black literature have become increasingly integrated into university settings. This integration has enabled scholars to unearth and reclaim the work of women writers such as:
- Maria Stewart
- Pauline E. Hopkins
- Angelina Weld Grimke
Additionally, it has cast new light on pivotal figures like William Stanley Braithwaite.
The academicization of African-American studies has elevated once-obscure texts into canonical works of American literature. Examples include:
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- Frederick Douglass’s Narrative (1845)
- Jean Toomer’s Cane (1923)
- James Weldon Johnson’s Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man (1912)
- W.E.B Du Bois’s The Souls of Black Folk (1903)
History of African-Americans - Animation
The Voices of Contemporary Writers
The integration of black studies into the mainstream has also influenced literary creation. Many university-connected writers are represented in the Norton Anthology, including:
- John Edgar Wideman
- David Bradley
- Ishmael Reed
- Ernest J. Gaines
- Michael S. Harper
- Alice Walker
- Toni Morrison
- Gloria Naylor
- Rita Dove
- June Jordan
- Sonia Sanchez
The Vernacular Tradition
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. emphasizes the vernacular nature of black discourse, invoking the language of folk sermons, songs, and tales. He defines American black literature as a “talking book” or an “archive,” where the oral traditions of American blacks become their version of a literary canon. However, it is important to note that the earliest black writers in America were not necessarily influenced by folk culture, and folk culture did not play a significant role in African-American literature for most of the 19th century.
Editors and Contributors
The Norton Anthology boasts an impressive roster of editors and contributors, each bringing unique expertise to the collection.
- Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and Director of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University.
- Valerie Smith: President of Swarthmore College.
- William L. Andrews: E. Maynard Adams Professor of English at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
- Frances Smith Foster: Charles Howard Candler Professor of English and Women’s Studies at Emory University.
- Brent Hayes Edwards: Peng Family Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University.
- Deborah E. McDowell: Alice Griffin Professor of English, University of Virginia.
- Hortense Spillers: Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Professor of English, Vanderbilt University.
- Kimberly W. Benston: Francis B. Gummere Professor of English at Haverford College.
- Jesse McCarthy: Assistant Professor in the departments of English and of African and African American Studies at Harvard University.
- Farah Jasmine Griffin: William B. Ransford Professor of English and Comparative Literature and African American Studies at Columbia University.
Conclusion
The Norton Anthology of African American Literature is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in exploring the rich and diverse landscape of African American literary expression. Its comprehensive collection, scholarly introductions, and attention to both historical and contemporary voices make it an essential addition to any library.
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Table: Key Figures in African American Literature
| Author | Notable Work | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Phillis Wheatley | "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral" | First African American to publish a book of poetry. |
| Frederick Douglass | "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave" | Influential abolitionist and writer; provided a powerful account of slavery. |
| Richard Wright | "Native Son" | Groundbreaking novel addressing racial injustice and its psychological impact. |
| Zora Neale Hurston | "Their Eyes Were Watching God" | Celebrated novelist and folklorist; captured the nuances of African American life. |
| Toni Morrison | "Beloved" | Nobel laureate; explored themes of identity, trauma, and memory in African American history. |
