Warriors, Conjurers and Priests: Defining African-Centered Literary Criticism - Softcover

Joyce, Joyce Ann

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0883780992 ISBN 13: 9780883780992

Publisher: Third World Press,U.S., 1994

Synopsis

In Warriors, Conjurers and Priests: Defining African-centered Literary Criticism, Joyce Ann Joyce brilliantly merges her vision of African American literary criticism with her understanding of the politics of higher education. Collected together, these essays depict the literary critic as a shaman and literary conjurer, steeped in the spirituality and history of Black culture. Her analysis offers perceptive readings of major Black literary figures of the 20th century - including Gwendolyn Brooks, Sonia Sanchez, James Baldwin, Ann Petry, Terry McMillan, Ishmael Reed and others. Professor Joyce demonstrates extensive research, while illustrating the interconnectedness of fiction and poetry to historical, political and cultural reality. At the same time, she provides balanced critiques rather than one-sidedness posing as universality. Most importantly, hers is a voice that recognizes the heterogeneity of the Black community and, in hopes of heightening understanding, does not fear discussing the strengths and weaknesses of diverse views.

About this title

About the Authors

Dr. Joyce Ann Joyce was a 1995 recipient of The American Book Award for Literary Criticism for her collection of essays Warriors, Conjurers, and Priests: Defining African-centered Literary Criticism.

Dr. Joyce Ann Joyce was a 1995 recipient of The American Book Award for Literary Criticism for her collection of essays ""Warriors, Conjurers, and Priests: Defining African-centered Literary Criticism.""

Dr. Joyce Ann Joyce was a 1995 recipient of The American Book Award for Literary Criticism for her collection of essays Warriors, Conjurers, and Priests: Defining African-centered Literary Criticism. She received her PhD from the University of Georgia in 1979 and has taught at several universities. She was chairperson and professor of the African-American Studies Department at Temple University.

From the Back Cover

In Warriors, Conjurers and Priests: Defining African-centered Literary Criticism, Joyce Ann Joyce brilliantly merges her vision of African American literary criticism with her understanding of the politics of higher education. Collected together, these essays depict the literary critic as a shaman and literary conjurer, steeped in the spirituality and history of Black culture. Her analysis offers perceptive readings of major Black literary figures of the 20th century - including Gwendolyn Brooks, Sonia Sanchez, James Baldwin, Ann Petry, Terry McMillan, Ishmael Reed and others. Professor Joyce demonstrates extensive research, while illustrating the interconnectedness of fiction and poetry to historical, political and cultural reality. At the same time, she provides balanced critiques rather than one-sidedness posing as universality. Most importantly, hers is a voice that recognizes the heterogeneity of the Black community and, in hopes of heightening understanding, does not fear discussing the strengths and weaknesses of diverse views.

Edition details

• Publisher: Third World Press,U.S.
• Publication date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0883780992
• ISBN 13: 9780883780992
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 313