As the term gothic has moved out from its confined space in 18th and 19th century European literature and is now applied to many literatures,both past and present,its definition has also become more and more expansive...As the term gothic has moved out from its confined space in 18th and 19th century European literature and is now applied to many literatures,both past and present,its definition has also become more and more expansive.The essay argues that critics should be more modest in the application of the gothic,not least by asking themselves whether“gothic”is the appropriate term to use to describe a specific plot turn or text.Especially in discussions of African American literature,the term gothic appears to this author sometimes misplaced.The essay gives a number of examples of problematic usages and of the risks associated with an overuse of“gothic,”among which are the reification of pain,a circular logic that does not elucidate anything,and the sidelining of other potential explanatory frameworks.展开更多
This paper is about the model of masculinity exhibited in the African American novelist Frank Yerby＇s historical novel The Dahomean （1971） which is a classic text for masculinity study but has been ignored. In a fl...This paper is about the model of masculinity exhibited in the African American novelist Frank Yerby＇s historical novel The Dahomean （1971） which is a classic text for masculinity study but has been ignored. In a flash-back narration, the novel tells us the legendary experience of Nyasanu in Africa before he becomes a slave in the south of America, portrays a well-rounded and authentic Black male character, and constructs a model of masculinity of great value for reference. The model of masculinity demonstrated by Nyasanu is no longer limited by the rigid and unitary stipulations of traditional gender concept. It is a model which integrates tenderness into toughness, combines physical power or military prowess with mental power or wisdom, and most importantly, a model that stresses men＇s agency and authenticity. At the same time, by the resentment of war and cherishement of life, this model of masculinity exhibits considerable ethical dimension and humanitarianism. It can be said that the model of masculinity inscribed in The Dahornean is of much enlightening importance for contemporary people to reflect upon the patriarchal culture and prevalent gender notions such as gender role concept. As for people＇s pursueing and constructing their ideal masculinity, the model of masculinity embodied in The Dahomean can be an important model for reference.展开更多
Like the other“new modernisms”Afro-Modernism does not exist beyond its role as a critical catchword.The readings given to African-American texts of the modernist period have been subjected to reductive treatments th...Like the other“new modernisms”Afro-Modernism does not exist beyond its role as a critical catchword.The readings given to African-American texts of the modernist period have been subjected to reductive treatments that have overlooked many factors.In this paper I will examine an unacknowledged feature of modernist works that radically changes the understanding of many important texts.One assumption of the critics of literary modernism is that individualism is a touchstone of the movement.One sign of the inapplicability of individuality to American modernism is the occurrence of esoteric group composition.The esoteric does not come into consideration by the literary critics who have established Afro-Modernism,so it is not within the scope of those investigations that challenges to individuality have been considered.展开更多
文摘As the term gothic has moved out from its confined space in 18th and 19th century European literature and is now applied to many literatures,both past and present,its definition has also become more and more expansive.The essay argues that critics should be more modest in the application of the gothic,not least by asking themselves whether“gothic”is the appropriate term to use to describe a specific plot turn or text.Especially in discussions of African American literature,the term gothic appears to this author sometimes misplaced.The essay gives a number of examples of problematic usages and of the risks associated with an overuse of“gothic,”among which are the reification of pain,a circular logic that does not elucidate anything,and the sidelining of other potential explanatory frameworks.
文摘This paper is about the model of masculinity exhibited in the African American novelist Frank Yerby＇s historical novel The Dahomean （1971） which is a classic text for masculinity study but has been ignored. In a flash-back narration, the novel tells us the legendary experience of Nyasanu in Africa before he becomes a slave in the south of America, portrays a well-rounded and authentic Black male character, and constructs a model of masculinity of great value for reference. The model of masculinity demonstrated by Nyasanu is no longer limited by the rigid and unitary stipulations of traditional gender concept. It is a model which integrates tenderness into toughness, combines physical power or military prowess with mental power or wisdom, and most importantly, a model that stresses men＇s agency and authenticity. At the same time, by the resentment of war and cherishement of life, this model of masculinity exhibits considerable ethical dimension and humanitarianism. It can be said that the model of masculinity inscribed in The Dahornean is of much enlightening importance for contemporary people to reflect upon the patriarchal culture and prevalent gender notions such as gender role concept. As for people＇s pursueing and constructing their ideal masculinity, the model of masculinity embodied in The Dahomean can be an important model for reference.
文摘Like the other“new modernisms”Afro-Modernism does not exist beyond its role as a critical catchword.The readings given to African-American texts of the modernist period have been subjected to reductive treatments that have overlooked many factors.In this paper I will examine an unacknowledged feature of modernist works that radically changes the understanding of many important texts.One assumption of the critics of literary modernism is that individualism is a touchstone of the movement.One sign of the inapplicability of individuality to American modernism is the occurrence of esoteric group composition.The esoteric does not come into consideration by the literary critics who have established Afro-Modernism,so it is not within the scope of those investigations that challenges to individuality have been considered.
