the signifying monkey a theory of african american literary criticism

Exploring signification in black American life and literature by analyzing the transmission and revision of various signifying figures, Gates provides an extended analysis of what he calls the “Talking Book,” a central trope in early slave narratives that virtually defines the tradition of black American letters. His critical approach relies heavily on the Signifying Monkey–perhaps the most popular figure in African-American folklore–and signification and Signifyin(g). Examining the ancient poetry and myths found in African, Latin American, and Caribbean culture, and particularly the Yoruba trickster figure of Esu-Elegbara and the Signifying Monkey whose myths help articulate the black tradition’s theory of its literature, Gates uncovers a unique system for interpretation and a powerful vernacular tradition that black slaves brought with them to the New World. Examining the ancient poetry and myths found in African, Latin American, and Caribbean cultur Henry Louis Gates, Jr.’s original, groundbreaking study explores the relationship between the African and African-American vernacular traditions and black literature, elaborating a new critical approach located within this tradition that allows the black voice to speak for itself. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.’s original, groundbreaking study explores the relationship between the African and African-American vernacular traditions and black literature, elaborating a new critical approach located within this tradition that allows the black voice to speak for itself.

You can read this before The Signifying Monkey: A Theory of African-American Literary Criticism PDF full Download at the bottom. Here is a quick description and cover image of book The Signifying Monkey: A Theory of African-American Literary Criticism written by Henry Louis Gates Jr. Brief Summary of Book: The Signifying Monkey: A Theory of African-American Literary Criticism by Henry Louis Gates Jr.

The signifying monkey a theory of african american literary criticism