the signifying monkey a theory of afro american literary criticism

This book also shows how signifying came from Africa through the middle passage of slavery into the literary writing of the black community. These themes are all a result of the practice of signifying within black culture. The Signifying Monkey: A Theory of African-American Literary Criticism Henry Louis Gates, Jr OUP USA, 2014 - Literary Criticism - 318 pages 0 Reviews Reviews arent verified, but. The Signifying Monkey: A Theory of African-American Literary Criticism: A Theory of Afro-American Literary Criticism de Gates, Henry Louis Jr. Notwithstanding the considerable resources upon which he bases his case, Gates works with a lightness of touch and a style of reasoning that makes the exercise of following the construction of his argument most exciting and provocative. Signifying Monkey describes important themes throughout black literature. an immensely stimulating work which deserves a wide readership.' Reviews in American Studies 'Apart from suggesting new ways of looking at black literature, this original work is a singular contribution to linguistocs, anthropology and rhetoric.

The Signifying Monkey displays an impressive array of scholarship coupled with a wide-ranging knowledge of diverse materials and a visible creative energy which synthesises these into a coherent and convincing thesis. This is a brilliant book, and it deserves to be read widely.' Critical Inquiry 'an important book. An important contributuon, not only to the study of Afro-American literature, but to the whole enterprise of 'literary theory' as it applies to any literature whatsoever. Condition Description: Book is in good condition with no. There are some black & white pictures and charts.'The appearance of The Signifying Monkey will be one of the most significant events in the development of Afro-American studies in the next decade. The Signifying Monkey A Theory of African-American Literary Criticism by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Book has a Preface, Contents which are divided into two parts, Notes and an Index. Content Description: According to the back of the book, Henry Louis Gates, Jr.'s original groundbreaking study explores the relationship between the African and African-American vernacular traditions and black literature, elaborating a new critical approach located within this tradition that allows the black voice to speak for itself.Įxamining the ancient poetry and myths found in African, Latin American, and Caribbean culture, and particularly the Yoruba trickster figure of Esu-Elegbara and the Signifying Monkey whose myths help articulate the black tradition's theory of its literature, Gates uncovers a unique system of interpretation and a powerful vernacular tradition that black slaves brought with them to the New World.īook was published in1989 and is a paperbackĬondition Description: Book is in good condition with no underlining, highlighting, or writing in margins.

The signifying monkey a theory of afro american literary criticism