| Since African Negroes were sold as slaves to the North American continent in the early 17th century, they have lived and developed in America for hundreds of years and their developing history was full of hardship, blood and tears. Black literature has recorded all of it and at the same time has been deeply branded by the American society and history. In American society, Negro is down to the lowest social status and most seriously discriminated. The American Dream never belongs to the Negro because the American society makes him poor in his material life, and his spiritual pursuit cannot be realized without the material guarantee. It holds back the development of American black literature. The combination of the African ancestor's culture and American culture underwent a long period. Black literature had been oral literature from 1620s to the late 19th century; later, the written literature gradually appeared. In the works of American black writers, they actively explore the problem of the outset of American Negro to find a better solution in improving the relationship between blacks and whites, blacks and blacks with various literary forms.After World War I , the life condition of the American Negroes was improved and they wanted more in spirit. In New York, 1920s saw Harlem Renaissance, which was the important turning point in the history of American black literature. Black literature entered into the contemporary age since Langston Hughes and Richard Wright. After world war II, when the Civil Rights Movement sprang up, the American Negro issures gradually became the focus of the whole society and blacks strengthened their consciousness of nationality. In the struggle for social status, rights and dignity, American Negro not only looked back to history, but also looked forward to the future. At the same time, American black literature took on a new look and was in a booming period, forming an essential part of the American literature. Having gone through the change of the world pattern after two world wars and the turbulence of American society, the black writers were concerned much more about the living condition and destiny of the American Negro. From Uncle Tom 's Cabin in the Civil War. the black literature reflecting the situation of American Negro reached its peak after World War II and became the very important components in American "multi-culture". The booming of the contemporary American black literature created a good circumstance for black writers, among whom Richard Wright and Ralph Ellison were two most eminent ones. Their works had great influence on black literature and other black writers, even on the whole American literary circle.Richard Wright (1908?960) is the American outstanding novelist, who makes important contributions to the development of the black literature and is regarded as themilestone of the American black literature. Wright was poor in his childhood and grew up in a circumstance that was full of hostility. He hated and feared the white world, and he understood deeply the mentality as an outsider in the American society that was full of hostility to Negroes. In his life, Wright writes five novels, two short stories, two dramas (cooperated with others)and tens of other works, but he is famous for his autobiography in the early stage and his novels. In his Uncle Tom 's Children (1938) and Native Son (1940), the black protagonists are full of strong desire for the self-respect in the white world. Ralph Ellison (1914?994) should attribute his success in entering the literary circle to Richard Wright's help and encouragement. He writes several short stories, but what makes him become famous overnight is his only novel Invisible Man (1952), on which he spends seven years working his heart out. This novel caused a sensation when it was published in 1952. It was awarded the tide of "the best novel" and the National Book Award. In 1965, mis novel won the title of "the most excellent American novel after World War II". It brings to Ellison the fames of "the best black writer... |
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