Discusses what constitutes literary theory and advocates a mandatory course in it for all literature and language majors. (EKN)

In 1969, American Indian occupation of Alcatraz Island dramatized Native demands for self-determination, tribal lands, and tribal identities. Meanwhile, a blossoming American Indian literary movement began awakening America to Indians' continued existence and providing texts of "lived experience" that created a new kind of Indian leadership and…

Discusses the writings of Amino Kiku, a modern Japanese female author. Questions why Amino is ignored in most compilations of Japanese writers. Concludes that she is ignored because Japanese women's literature is defined by men, all Japanese literary critics are male, and Amino's female characters are not defined by their relationships with men.…

Questions assumptions of the New Historicism, a recent development in literary criticism. Suggests some problems that such an essentially political approach engenders. Includes lack of a common bond between author and reader, a universal model of historical change based upon the ideas of Marx and others, and contextualism. Argues that historians…

Traces the 48-year history of the "white-life" novel in American literature and argues that these novels, written by black or other non white authors, conform to majority group tastes and expectations for reasons of attaining literary and financial success at the expense of denying the author's own heritage. Several literary works are…

Suggests that by studying and writing dime novels, students can develop their understanding of literary history and gain skill in working with such literary concepts as theme, plot, setting, and characterization. (MM)

Reviews treatment of African Americans and academic issues as depicted in children's literature from the 1900s through the 1950s. Discusses the portrayal of students, parents, teachers, and family members and their impact on academic achievement. (MAK)

Details early twentieth century requirements for training secondary school English teachers--voice training and the study of English literature, literary history, literary criticism, and language study--and describes a suggested teacher education curriculum. (MM)

Addresses the basic conflict between the Enlightenment's humanitarian credo and slavery, the opposing beliefs of the pro-slavery movement and the abolitionists, and the resulting changes in the perceptions of blacks brought about by the emancipation literature of the French philosophers and writers of the eighteenth century. (BJV)

Discusses fu, a flowery form of rhetorical writing developed in China during the Han Dynasty. Provides historical background and criticisms of the genre. Emphasizes the feminine principle of fu rhetoric with its resort to pleasure, ornamentation, and flattery. Argues that what is considered love poetry was actually political allegory. (DK)