The Beginning of the Middle of Black Literature

According to Professors Henry Louis Gates and Nelly Y. McKay, general editors of The Norton Anthology of African American Literature, “the engendering impulse of African American Literature is resistance to human tyranny. The sustaining spirit of African American Literature is dedication to human dignity” (151).


African American literature and, even art, can be divided into two—again—overlapping categories: traditional literature and art—which is mainstream conventional forms such as poetry, short stories, autobiographies, novels; and the vernacular, which refers the body of art that includes church songs, blues, ballads, sermons, stories, hip hop that are part of the oral, not primarily the literate tradition of black expression. Generally speaking it is the art that is “in-group” secretive, defensive and aggressive/ produced for circulation within the African-American community.


To understand the art and literature of any group, one must understand and be fluent in the language with which it is discussed.
The following terms are provided to aid in your analysis of early African American writings.

Chattel slavery is a type of slavery defined as the absolute legal ownership of a person or persons, including the legal right to buy and sell them. Chattel slaves are forced to live life as they are instructed by their owners. They are not held responsible for their actions; however, the product of the slaves’ labor is the legal property of their owner as well.

Slave (bondage) narrative-- narratives of slavery (enslavement) recounting the personal experiences of ante-bellum African Americans who escaped from slavery and found their way to safety in the north. This form of writing was an essential part of the anti-slavery movement, and drew on biblical allusions and imagery.

Authenticating document—text such as letters of reference attesting to the character and reliability of the slave narrator himself or herself by a white person which is often appended to the work—of the black person

Amanuensis—one who is employed to take dictation. Some oral bondage narratives were transcribed into written works

Homiletics—sermon writing; the art of preaching

Once the vocabulary is understood and learned, one must attempt to answer the following questions? Is America where African American culture and literature began? What is the relevance of understanding the beginning of the middle of black literature and culture?