Spiritual Narratives (The Schomburg Library of Nineteenth-Century Black Women Writers)
Editorial Reviews
From 500 Great Books by Women; review by Joycelyn Moody
Sue Houchins' Spiritual Narratives brings together the religious writings of four nineteenth-century African-American women: Maria Stewart, Jarena Lee, Julia Foote, and Virginia Broughton. Because each of these extraordinary black women accomplished significant feats despite fierce racial and genderic oppression, this collection is a rare treat. The first American-born woman to address both blacks and whites, men and women, Maria Stewart was an electrifying orator; her writings are full of passion and are political as well as pious. Like Maria Stewart, Jarena Lee was a Northern, free-born black woman who spoke out against such injustices as sexual discrimination and slavery, and while her text is sometimes cumbersome because of its precise and laborious details, it tells a triumphant story. Julia A. Foote's narrative is characterized by a bold, sassy style; it challenges stereotypes of nineteenth-century black women as docile, illiterate, or envious of white privilege. Virginia W. Broughton's autobiography is unusual for its third person perspective. Unlike the three Northern women Sue Houchins includes, Virginia Broughton, born in Virginia, was college educated; her memoir describes her work in "colored schools" throughout the post-emancipation South. Both skeptical and devout readers will be moved to contemplation and admiration by the broadly divergent rhetorical power and piety of these four women. -- For great reviews of books for girls, check out Let's Hear It for the Girls: 375 Great Books for Readers 2-14.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
Book Description
Published between 1835 and 1907, these four narratives share a theme that continues to dominate African-American literature today: the use of Christianity to give strength and comfort in the struggle for liberation from caste and gender restrictions. Widely considered the first American-born woman (black or white) to give a public address, Maria Stewart links the dual concerns of spirituality and freedom in her fiery orations. Jarena Lee, the earliest black female preacher identified with the African Methodist Episcopal Church, offers a stirring account of her religious calling. Julia Foote presents an autobiographical sketch of her experiences as a renowned Ohio evangelist. And, in the last of these inspirational narratives, free-born Virginia Broughton recounts her twenty years as a missionary.
Spiritual Narratives (The Schomburg Library of Nineteenth-Century Black Women Writers),Maria W. Stewart,Jarena Lee,Julia A. J. Foote,Virginia W. Broughton,Sue E. Houchins,Oxford University Press, USA,019506786X,African American Literature,Classics,Fiction,General,History - General History,Literature: Classics,Literature: Folklore/Mythology,Women And The Church,20th century,Black studies,Christianity,English,Literary Criticism & Collections / African-American & Black,Literature/English | American Literature | African American,Other prose: 19th century,USA,Women's studies,c 1800 to c 1900
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