The Tradition of Slave Narratives and Generic Hybridity in Colson Whitehead’s The Underground Railroad
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This paper examines Colson Whitehead’s sixth novel, The Underground Railroad, with a specific focus on how it adopts and adapts elements from the American slave narrative genre. Rooted in the tradition of nineteenth-century American slave narratives, the novel incorporates numerous allusions to the experiences and voices of enslaved African Americans, particularly highlighting Harriet Jacobs. To contextualize this exploration, the paper begins with a concise historical overview of the American slave narrative as a distinct genre within African American literature. This overview traces the genre’s evolution from confessional autobiography to a more complex novelistic narrative, emphasizing its unique characteristics and intricate relationship between the black narrator and white reader. Key aspects such as the genre’s hybrid nature, adaptability, innovation, and position at the intersection of diverse literary forms are examined alongside its strategic intents regarding black subjects. The Underground Railroad is exemplified as a prime illustration of this significant generic hybridity, reflective of the genre’s historical and literary evolution that challenges white readers’ expectations of a historical and veracious recounting. The paper further argues that the continued perseverance and reproduction of the genre, enduring nearly two centuries post-emancipation, mirrors the ongoing political and social challenges faced by African American communities. The relevance of the slave narrative genre extends beyond its historical significance, addressing current issues within the African American community. The analysis emphasizes the novel’s significance as both a historical artifact and a contemporary medium that remains pertinent in articulating and responding to the lived experiences of African Americans.
Abstract
This paper examines Colson Whitehead’s sixth novel, The Underground Railroad, with a specific focus on how it adopts and adapts elements from the American slave narrative genre. Rooted in the tradition of nineteenth-century American slave narratives, the novel incorporates numerous allusions to the experiences and voices of enslaved African Americans, particularly highlighting Harriet Jacobs. To contextualize this exploration, the paper begins with a concise historical overview of the American slave narrative as a distinct genre within African American literature. This overview traces the genre’s evolution from confessional autobiography to a more complex novelistic narrative, emphasizing its unique characteristics and intricate relationship between the black narrator and white reader. Key aspects such as the genre’s hybrid nature, adaptability, innovation, and position at the intersection of diverse literary forms are examined alongside its strategic intents regarding black subjects. The Underground Railroad is exemplified as a prime illustration of this significant generic hybridity, reflective of the genre’s historical and literary evolution that challenges white readers’ expectations of a historical and veracious recounting. The paper further argues that the continued perseverance and reproduction of the genre, enduring nearly two centuries post-emancipation, mirrors the ongoing political and social challenges faced by African American communities. The relevance of the slave narrative genre extends beyond its historical significance, addressing current issues within the African American community. The analysis emphasizes the novel’s significance as both a historical artifact and a contemporary medium that remains pertinent in articulating and responding to the lived experiences of African Americans.
참고문헌 (23)
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