Molette and Molette's "Black Theatre"

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, in Chapter 7 of their book "Black Theatre: Premise and Presentation", Carlton W. Molette and Barbara J. Molette stress the intrinsically European and Eurocentric notion of the concept of the 'universal hero' in literature; even Othello is still a resolutely European hero. The paper also points out that Molette amd Molette write that wit and irony, ritual participation and verbally inventive performance are traditional ways for black heroes to gain heroic status. The paper contends that suggesting that only the black community folklore can produce black heroes can be overly limiting.

From the Paper:

"Although European drama during Shakespeare's time was intensely interactive, today only in African-American theaters is the audience such an integral part of the performance that the 'call and response' can change the entire nature of the hero-audience dynamic, one reason why going to a church, movie, or theatrical performance in the Afrocentric tradition often seems very similar in terms of its levels of audience participation."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Molette, Carlton W. & Barbara J Molette. Black Theatre: Premise and Presentation.Bristol, IN: Wyndham Hall Press, 1986, pp. 102-110.

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