An important new collection of original essays that examine how
Ellison's landmark novel, Invisible Man (1952), addresses the
social, cultural, political, economic, and racial contradictions of
America. Commenting on the significance of Mark Twain's writings,
Ralph Ellison wrote that "a novel could be fashioned as a raft of
hope, perception and entertainment that might help keep us afloat
as we tried to negotiate the snags and whirlpools that mark our
nation's vacillating course toward and away from the democratic
ideal." Ellison believed it was the contradiction between America's
"noble ideals and the actualities of our conduct" that inspired the
most profound literature -- "the American novel at its best."
Drawing from the fields of literature, politics, law, and history,
the contributors make visible the political and ethical terms of
Invisible Man, while also illuminating Ellison's understanding of
democracy and art. Ellison hoped that his novel, by providing a
tragicomic look at American ideals and mores, would make better
citizens of his readers. The contributors also explain Ellison's
distinctive views on the political tasks and responsibilities of
the novelist, an especially relevant topic as contemporary writers
continue to confront the American incongruity between democratic
faith and practice. Ralph Ellison and the Raft of Hope uniquely
demonstrates why Invisible Man stands as a premier literary
meditation on American democracy.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!