African Literature in French
A History of Creative Writing in French from West and Equatorial Africa

This book provides a historical survey and a critical analysis of the literature in French from West and Equatorial Africa.

Dorothy S. Blair (Author)

9780521284035, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 2 July 1981

372 pages
22.8 x 15.2 x 2 cm, 0.56 kg

This 1976 book provides both a historical survey and a critical analysis of the literature in French from West and Equatorial Africa. Professor Blair begins by discussing the social, educational and political influences which led to the formation of the Negritude movement and to a flowering of French-African creative writing. This historical approach is then complemented by a study of the different literary genres. She traces the evolution of the first manifestations of literary activity in French by African writers, the written folk-tale, fable and short story, from the oral tradition of the indigenous culture, and the eventual appearance of the novel with a legendary or historical theme. The origins of French-African drama are considered for the first time, and the work of the minor poets analysed. Finally, Professor Blair attempts a definition of the French-African novel, and studies examples from three major periods from the 1930s onwards.

Frontispiece
Preface
Map
Table
List of abbreviations
Acknowledgements
Introduction: background to a literature: 1. Earliest beginnings
2. Historical review
3. The educational system
4. First awakenings of Black consciousness and interest in Africa
5. The birth of Negritude
Part I. The Transition from Yesterday to Today: 1. The oral tradition: the role of the griot
2. The evolution of the folk-tale, short story and fable
3. The heyday of folk-lore in French West African literature
4. The rear-guard and the decline of the folk-tale
5. Legends from Central and West Africa in novels and novellas
6. The historical novel
Part II. Dramatic Literature: 1. Origins and development of a French language spectacle
2. Historical and legendary drama
3. Comedy, satire and morality plays
4. Conclusion
Part III. Negro-African Poetry: From Negritude to 'Disengagement': 1. The birth of Negritude
2. Conclusion
Part IV. The African Novelist and the Negro-African Novel in French: 1. Towards a definition of the African novel
2. 1935–55: authors and works in the margin of commitment
3. 1954–64: Around the anti-colonialist cause: 'Romans à thèse'
4. 1958–64: period of transition: releasing the tensions of the past and drawing up blueprints for the future
1964–74: in the light of Independence
5. Familiar writers - new inspirations
6. New voices in fiction
7. Conclusion
Appendix
Bibliographical notes
Index.

Subject Areas: Anthologies [non-poetry DQ]