Heroism and the Black Intellectual: Ralph Ellison, Politics, and Afro-American Intellectual Life

Author:   Jerry Gafio Watts
Publisher:   The University of North Carolina Press
Edition:   New edition
ISBN:  

9780807821640


Pages:   170
Publication Date:   30 October 1994
Format:   Hardback
Availability:   Awaiting stock   Availability explained


Our Price $131.87 Quantity:  
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Heroism and the Black Intellectual: Ralph Ellison, Politics, and Afro-American Intellectual Life


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Overview

Before and after writing Invisible Man, novelist and essayist Ralph Ellison fought to secure a place as a black intellectual in a white-dominated society. In this sophisticated analysis of Ellison's cultural politics, Jerry Watts examines the ways in which black artists and thinkers attempt to establish creative intellectual spaces for themselves. Using Ellison as a case study, Watts makes important observations about the role of black intellectuals in America today. Watts argues that black intellectuals have had to navigate their way through a society that both denied them the resources, status, and encouragement available to their white peers and alienated them from the rest of their ethnic group. For Ellison to pursue meaningful intellectual activities in the face of this marginalization demanded creative heroism, a new social and artistic stance that challenges cultural stereotypes. For example, Ellison first created an artistic space for himself by associating with Communist party literary circles, which recognized the value of his writing long before the rest of society was open to his work. In addition, to avoid prescriptive white intellectual norms, Ellison developed his own ideology, which Watts terms the 'blues aesthetic.' Watts's ambitious study reveals a side of Ellison rarely acknowledged, blending careful criticism of art with a wholesale engagement with society.

Full Product Details

Author:   Jerry Gafio Watts
Publisher:   The University of North Carolina Press
Imprint:   The University of North Carolina Press
Edition:   New edition
Dimensions:   Width: 15.60cm , Height: 1.80cm , Length: 23.50cm
Weight:   0.680kg
ISBN:  

9780807821640


ISBN 10:   0807821640
Pages:   170
Publication Date:   30 October 1994
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  General/trade ,  Professional & Vocational ,  General
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Out of Print
Availability:   Awaiting stock   Availability explained

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Reviews

Superb. A probing, perceptive, and refreshing treatment of a great figure so grossly misunderstood and mistreated. Cornel West, Princeton University A complex, probing analysis of black intellectual life. . . . Provides a fresh look at a complex subject. American Literature A complex, probing analysis. Library Journal Watts's book belongs on the shelves of anybody who has an interest in the sociology of culture. Contemporary Sociology Superb. A probing, perceptive, and refreshing treatment of a great figure so grossly misunderstood and mistreated. Cornel West, Princeton University A complex, probing analysis of black intellectual life. . . . Provides a fresh look at a complex subject. American Literature Heroism and the Black Intellectual opens promising paths for discussion of black intellectual culture. Choice A complex, probing analysis. Library Journal


A complex, probing analysis. Library Journal Superb. A probing, perceptive, and refreshing treatment of a great figure so grossly misunderstood and mistreated. Cornel West, Princeton University A complex, probing analysis of black intellectual life. . . . Provides a fresh look at a complex subject. American Literature Superb. A probing, perceptive, and refreshing treatment of a great figure so grossly misunderstood and mistreated. Cornel West, Princeton University A complex, probing analysis of black intellectual life. . . . Provides a fresh look at a complex subject. American Literature Watts's book belongs on the shelves of anybody who has an interest in the sociology of culture. Contemporary Sociology Heroism and the Black Intellectual opens promising paths for discussion of black intellectual culture. Choice A complex, probing analysis. Library Journal


Superb. A probing, perceptive, and refreshing treatment of a great figure so grossly misunderstood and mistreated. Cornel West, Princeton University


Superb. A probing, perceptive, and refreshing treatment of a great figure so grossly misunderstood and mistreated. <p>Cornel West, Princeton University


Superb. A probing, perceptive, and refreshing treatment of a great figure so grossly misunderstood and mistreated. Cornel West, Princeton University A complex, probing analysis. Library Journal A complex, probing analysis of black intellectual life. . . . Provides a fresh look at a complex subject. American Literature A complex, probing analysis of black intellectual life. . . . Provides a fresh look at a complex subject. American Literature Watts's book belongs on the shelves of anybody who has an interest in the sociology of culture. Contemporary Sociology A complex, probing analysis. Library Journal Superb. A probing, perceptive, and refreshing treatment of a great figure so grossly misunderstood and mistreated. Cornel West, Princeton University Heroism and the Black Intellectual opens promising paths for discussion of black intellectual culture. Choice


Author Information

Jerry Gafio Watts is associate professor of American studies at Trinity College.

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