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New Essays on Native Son provides original insights into this major American novel by Richard Wright. After an introductory essay by the editor on the conception, composition, and reception of the novel, four leading Afro-Americanists examine various aspects of this classic fictional account of violent life and death in a racist society. John M. Reilly shows how carefully Wright utilises narrative techniques to subvert conventional American racial discourse and to establish the authority and authenticity of the protagonist's voice. Trudier Harris explores some of the social ironies involved in the novel's unfavourable presentation of female characters. Houston A. Baker Jr, focuses precisely on the concept of place in a new historicists treatment of black male and female roles in Native Son against Wright's own interpretation of Afro-American history in 12 Million Black Voices. Finally, Craig Werner convincingly relates Native Son to modernism as a literary movement. Moving beyond the old debate between protest and art, these essays, informed by new critical theory and perspectives, reveal previously unsuspected depth, complexity, and resonance in Wright's vision of black life and his literary resources in expressing it.

Wright, Richard --- African Americans in literature --- Afro-Americans in literature --- Afro-Amerikanen in de literatuur --- Afro-Américains dans la littérature --- Amerikaanse zwarten in de literatuur --- Black Americans in literature --- Negroes in literature --- Noirs américains dans la littérature --- Zwarte Amerikanen in de literatuur --- Thomas, Bigger (Fictitious character) --- African American men in literature --- Trials (Murder) in literature --- Murder in literature --- African American men in literature. --- Murder in literature. --- Trials (Murder) in literature. --- Thomas, Bigger (Fictitious character). --- Bigger Thomas (Fictitious character) --- Afro-American men in literature --- Wright, Richard, --- Arts and Humanities --- Literature --- African Americans in literature. --- English --- Languages & Literatures --- American Literature