"The Life and Legend of Leadbelly"

Paper Summary:

The paper examines "The Life and Legend of Leadbelly" that tells the story of Huddie "Leadbelly" Ledbetter who was incarcerated in the notorious Louisiana prison but given a second chance by historian and musicologist John Lomax. The paper offers a summary and analysis of the book and discusses how Louisiana has now switched from retribution to a philosophy of restorative justice.

Outline:
Introduction
Summary
Analysis
Reaction

From the Paper:

"While it is often said that America loves to give people a second chance, there was perhaps no more unlikely 'second chance' than that of the blues and folk singer, the master of the 12-string guitar, known as Leadbelly. In 1934, Leadbelly was incarcerated in the notorious Louisiana prison of Angola for stabbing a white man. In 1935, despite the fact it was the height of the Great Depression, the African-American guitar player was in New York, living the life of a celebrity musician, the toast of the town, and the guest of some of the most prestigious (white) academics. This sudden shift in fortune was due to the fact that during his time in prison historian and musicologist John Lomax went to the Southern state prison with the interest of recording and collecting traditional African-American songs for the Library of Congress."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "Music in Prisons." (2008). The Irene Taylor Trust. Retrieved 3 May 2008 at http://www.musicinprisons.org.uk/
• "Restorative Justice." (2008). Louisiana Department of Public Safety and CorrectionsRetrieved 3 May 2008 at http://www.corrections.state.la.us/view.php?cat=4&id=18
• Wolfe, Charles and Kip Lornell. (1992). The Life and Legend of Leadbelly. NY: Harper Collins.
• .

More papers on "The Life and Legend of Leadbelly":

• Essay # 33185 : "The Life and Career of Blaise Pascal"
• Analytical Essay # 56485 : "The Life and Times of Flora Belle Jan"
• Analytical Essay # 213 : " The Life and Works of William Styron"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: