The Utopian Aesthetics of Three African American Women (Toni Morrison, Gloria Naylor, Julie Dash) The Principle of Hope |
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Author:
| Raphael-Hernandez, Heike |
ISBN: | 978-0-7734-4936-7 |
Publication Date: | Dec 2008 |
Publisher: | Edwin Mellen Press, The
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Book Format: | Hardback |
List Price: | USD $99.95 |
Book Description:
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This work offers a connection between the concrete utopian theory of hope by the Gennan Jewish philosopher Ernst Bloch and the literary productions of contemporary African American women writers. The study argues that these literary texts should be read as concrete utopias outlined in Bloch's major work The Principle ofHope. Bloch argues that when people become consciously aware of the dialectical tendencies in concrete utopias will they recognize the possibilities first for their own...
More DescriptionThis work offers a connection between the concrete utopian theory of hope by the Gennan Jewish philosopher Ernst Bloch and the literary productions of contemporary African American women writers. The study argues that these literary texts should be read as concrete utopias outlined in Bloch's major work The Principle ofHope. Bloch argues that when people become consciously aware of the dialectical tendencies in concrete utopias will they recognize the possibilities first for their own personal empowerment and then for their communities. As a result of their conscious awareness, readers will be able to perceive the visions of the texts and will begin to actively dream of becoming agents for change themselves. The study claims that most texts by contemporary African American women writers such as Alice Walker, Toni Cade Bambara, Gloria Naylor, Ntozake Shange, Toni Morrison, Gayl Jones, Paule Marshall, Sherley Anne Williams, Bebe Moore Campbell, and Terry McMillan provide concrete utopian visions. An application of Bloch's theory to these writers enriches a reading of their texts and demonstrates that art is the medium that will remind people of their constant, never-ending responsibility for personal agency.