"Who Set You Flowin'?"

The African-American Migration Narrative

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, Black, American, Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Cultural Studies, African-American Studies
Cover of the book "Who Set You Flowin'?" by Farah Jasmine Griffin, Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Farah Jasmine Griffin ISBN: 9780190282301
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: September 26, 1996
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: Farah Jasmine Griffin
ISBN: 9780190282301
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: September 26, 1996
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

Twentieth-century America has witnessed the most widespread and sustained movement of African-Americans from the South to urban centers in the North. Who Set You Flowin'? examines the impact of this dislocation and urbanization, identifying the resulting Migration Narratives as a major genre in African-American cultural production. Griffin takes an interdisciplinary approach with readings of several literary texts, migrant correspondence, painting, photography, rap music, blues, and rhythm and blues. From these various sources Griffin isolates the tropes of Ancestor, Stranger, and Safe Space, which, though common to all Migration Narratives, vary in their portrayal. She argues that the emergence of a dominant portrayal of these tropes is the product of the historical and political moment, often challenged by alternative portrayals in other texts or artistic forms, as well as intra-textually. Richard Wright's bleak, yet cosmopolitan portraits were countered by Dorothy West's longing for Black Southern communities. Ralph Ellison, while continuing Wright's vision, reexamined the significance of Black Southern culture. Griffin concludes with Toni Morrison embracing the South "as a site of African-American history and culture," "a place to be redeemed."

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Twentieth-century America has witnessed the most widespread and sustained movement of African-Americans from the South to urban centers in the North. Who Set You Flowin'? examines the impact of this dislocation and urbanization, identifying the resulting Migration Narratives as a major genre in African-American cultural production. Griffin takes an interdisciplinary approach with readings of several literary texts, migrant correspondence, painting, photography, rap music, blues, and rhythm and blues. From these various sources Griffin isolates the tropes of Ancestor, Stranger, and Safe Space, which, though common to all Migration Narratives, vary in their portrayal. She argues that the emergence of a dominant portrayal of these tropes is the product of the historical and political moment, often challenged by alternative portrayals in other texts or artistic forms, as well as intra-textually. Richard Wright's bleak, yet cosmopolitan portraits were countered by Dorothy West's longing for Black Southern communities. Ralph Ellison, while continuing Wright's vision, reexamined the significance of Black Southern culture. Griffin concludes with Toni Morrison embracing the South "as a site of African-American history and culture," "a place to be redeemed."

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book Fire in the Heart by Farah Jasmine Griffin
Cover of the book How to Do Things with Fictions by Farah Jasmine Griffin
Cover of the book A Century of Spies:Intelligence in the Twentieth Century by Farah Jasmine Griffin
Cover of the book Telethons by Farah Jasmine Griffin
Cover of the book A Clinical Guide to Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation by Farah Jasmine Griffin
Cover of the book Clonality by Farah Jasmine Griffin
Cover of the book Incidence and Economic Burden of Injuries in the United States by Farah Jasmine Griffin
Cover of the book Inconsistency, Asymmetry, and Non-Locality by Farah Jasmine Griffin
Cover of the book Ancient Bodies, Modern Lives by Farah Jasmine Griffin
Cover of the book Composing the Canon in the German Democratic Republic by Farah Jasmine Griffin
Cover of the book In Heaven as It Is on Earth by Farah Jasmine Griffin
Cover of the book Developing the Virtues by Farah Jasmine Griffin
Cover of the book The Musician's Way : A Guide to Practice Performance and Wellness by Farah Jasmine Griffin
Cover of the book Alcohol and Drug Abuse Problems: Oxford Bibliographies Online Research Guide by Farah Jasmine Griffin
Cover of the book Back in the Game by Farah Jasmine Griffin
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy