Suggests that the assumption that the theme of anti-rationalism in Jones is an attack on reason as such and that such a theme rests on an exclusive commitment to the irrational needs to be tested. (Author/AM)

Discusses and appraises the work of Nobel Prize winning black author Toni Morrison. Locates thematic and stylistic antecedents in the works of Fyodor Dostoevsky and Ernest Hemingway. Compares and contrasts Morrison's work with Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man" and discusses the critical reception of black authors. (MJP)

Discusses the riddle posed by the dying grandfather of the narrator in Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man" in terms of its language, the way it functions in the narrative, and the way in which an understanding of its solutions provides an important key to the novel. (GW)

Notes that Black women writers of the 70s were writing about a new woman with a consistently heroic and articulate voice, and suggests that critics, especially feminist critics, should take note. Provides examples of characters from the works of Black women writers. (MKM)

A discussion about whether the children's books of today are providing meaningful identification for black children, as well as real insight for white children into the historical, ethnic, and cultural characteristics of black Americans. (Author/RM)

Presents a psychosocial analysis of the male characterization in two of Claude McKay's novels, "Home To Harlem" (1928) and "Banjo" (1929). (Author)

Shows how Bigger Thomas, in Richard Wright's "Native Son," fights to free himself from the stereotyped image others have of him and to develop his own individual identity. (GW)

Discusses the association of the Black character (tortured, distorted, mistreated, and misjudged) with horror and the macabre in white American literature from "Letters from an American Farmer" (1782) to "Gravity's Rainbow" (1973). (JM)

Describes the pattern of psychological and spiritual evolution in the consciousness of many of the black characters in "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman," by Ernest J. Gaines. (GW)

Discusses the 1971 Lincoln Center production of "The Duplex", focusing on and refuting Walter Kerr's critical review of that play; Kerr is shown unable or unwilling to accept Bullins' successful use of certain structural innovations--the same ones that he raves about in non-black drama. (Author/JM)

A critical analysis of a novel by Gwendolyn Brooks entitled Maud Martha,'' which tells the story of a seven-year-old girl who grows up and marries; the novel is included in The World of Gwendolyn Brooks,'' the author's collected works, published in 1971 by Harper and Row. (Author/JM)

A reevaluation of novelist Richard Wright's first book, which is a collection of five short stories-- Big Boy Leaves Home,'' Down by the Riverside,'' Long Black Song,'' Fire and Cloud,'' and Bright and Morning Star''--and an introductory essay, The Ethics of Living Jim Crow.'' (JM)

Analyzes books in black literature selected to represent certain main lines of development in autobiography, fiction, poetry and criticism; the essay is limited in its coverage to books bearing a 1972 copyright. (Author/JM)

Describes two approaches to the study of the book "Black-Eyed Susans," which presents characters reflecting the qualities of complexity, diversity, and a depth, thus showing the unique and competent way in which black women writers have handled their major preoccupation--the black woman. (JM)