Visible Ellison: A Study of Ralph Ellison's Fiction: 160 (Contributions in Afro-American and African Studies: Contempo)

Edith Schor

ISBN 10: 0313274924 / ISBN 13: 9780313274923

Published by Praeger (UK), 1993

About this Item

Traces the development of Ralph Ellison's fiction, from the earliest experiments to the accomplishment of his one novel, "Invisible Man", and the mature prose of his later work. The book considers the obligations Ellison felt in committing himself to literature. Series: Contributions in Afro-American and African Studies: Contemporary Black Poets. Num Pages: 176 pages, black & white illustrations. BIC Classification: 1KBB; 2ABM; DSBH; DSK. Category: (P) Professional & Vocational; (UP) Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly; (UU) Undergraduate. Dimension: 216 x 140 x 14. Weight in Grams: 374. . 1993. hardcover. . . . . Books ship from the US and Ireland.

Seller Inventory # V9780313274923

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Visible Ellison: A Study of Ralph Ellison's Fiction: 160 (Contributions in Afro-American and African Studies: Contempo)
• Publisher: Praeger (UK)
• Publication Date: 1993
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0313274924
• ISBN 13: 9780313274923
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

Schor traces the development of Ralph Ellison's fiction from the earliest experiments to the major accomplishment of his novel Invisible Man, the mature prose of the Hickman stories and other published portions of his novel-in-progress. The study considers the two-fold obligation Ellison felt in committing himself to literature: to contribute at once to the growth of literature and also to the shaping of the culture as he would like it to be. His stories, read sequentially, reflect his struggle to encompass this aim in his writing. In describing that fragment of American experience he knew best, he learned to use the rich resources of his African-American heritage; from his passionate involvement with his craft came the discovery that, in literature, values turn in their own way, not in the service of politics or ideology.

The early stories mark Ellison's maze-like route that developed the skill, talent, and imagination and personal vision needed to transform experience into art. The novel demonstrates the flowering of his talent, and the Hickman stories add a fine patina. In her discussion of Ellison's work, Professor Schor uses his essays and interviews as well as the insights of other critics to comment directly on his fiction. The study concludes with a bibliography of Ellison's fiction and nonfiction and a selective bibliography of criticism and related sources.

About the Author

EDITH SCHOR is Professor of English at the City University of New York, Bronx Community Campus. She is the author of rhetoric and composition textbooks and articles in academic journals. Dr. Schor has been the recipient of NEH, Mellon, and CUNY chancellor awards. She received a CUNY Fellowship to complete this book.