The Black Renaissance in Francophone African and Caribbean Literatures

By K. Martial Frindethie

This work explores the limits and prospects of Afro-Caribbean Francophone writers in reshaping or producing action-oriented literature. It shows how Francophone literatures have followed a hegemonic discourse that leaves little room for thinking outside of traditional cultural and ideological conventions.

Part One explores the origins of Afro-Caribbean Francophone literature and what the author terms "griotism"--a shared heritage of awareness of biological differences, a sense of the black hero as black messiah and black people as chosen, and the promise of a common racial history.

Part Two discusses the formidable grip of griotism on Fanon, Mudimbe, the champions of Creolity (Bernabe, Chamoiseau, and Confiant), and well-read African women writers (Aminata Sow Fall, and Mariama Ba).

Part Three seeks to subvert the discourse of griotism in order to propose a new autonomy for Francophone African writers.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786436638
• ISBN13: 9780786436637
• Release Date: April 2008
• Publisher: McFarland & Company
• Length: 215 Pages
• Weight: 0.67 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.1" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher