The slave narrative has become a crucial genre within African American literary studies and an invaluable record of the experience and history of slavery in the United States. This Companion examines the slave narrative's relation to British and American abolitionism, Anglo-American literary traditions such as autobiography and sentimental literature, and the larger African American literary tradition. Special attention is paid to leading exponents of the genre such as Olaudah Equiano, Frederick Douglass and Harriet Jacobs, as well as many other, less well known examples. Further essays explore the rediscovery of the slave narrative and its subsequent critical reception, as well as the uses to which the genre is put by modern authors such as Toni Morrison. With its chronology and guide to further reading, the Companion provides both an easy entry point for students new to the subject and comprehensive coverage and original insights for scholars in the field.

This Companion examines the slave narrative in relation to its historical context as well as the African American literary tradition.

About the Author
Audrey Fisch is Professor in the Departments of English and Elementary and Secondary Education at New Jersey City University.

Reviews
'...the essays are concise, clearly written and full of fresh insights.' CLIO
'... accessible, illustrative and stimulating companion to narrative.' Journal of Language and Literature



Book Information
ISBN 9780521615266
Author Audrey Fisch
Format Paperback
Page Count 290
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 474g
Dimensions(mm) 226mm * 155mm * 17mm