Re accentuating the female voices a study of selected works of toni morrison

Abstract

ABSTRACT newlineAfrican-American Women Writings have asserted their identity to the American mainstream since 1970s. They have recognized their writings authoritatively and confidently. Nevertheless, their journey of recognition has been full of struggle and exertion. It has been a journey of attaining equal and supportive rights and freedom with their counterparts, which they felt was not offered even after being a part of the African emancipation. It was also to have their spaces and places among the African literary writings. Toni Morrison had been the most celebrated and influential novelist of the African-American women literature with the above said criteria. She being the first African-American woman to win the Noble price of 1993, established the strength and power of a female as a writer and a reformer of African past and present. Therefore, the focus of the present study is to have a comprehensive evaluation of Morrison s work and African-American identity struggle. The intent of the research work presented in this thesis is to bring increased coherence to the notions of female identity, their objectification, realization of female aspiration and dreams, impact of slavery and its consequences, strategies of resistance and survival, role of past culture etc. newlineTo attain these perspective the chapter 1 discusses the fundamental aspects of African-American literature, its origin, introduction to various movements, purpose of the study, methods adopted to evaluate, description of the significant terms and their effects on literature. There is also a critical study of Morrison s literary career. Chapter 2 provides a journey through the discourses of the prominent African-American female writers, their position, recognition and submission to the African-American literature. This chapter explains the details of African-American female writings through the trajectories of African history, their methods of establishment, thereby specifying the role newlinevi newlineplayed by them. Chapter concentrates on the fi