Abstract
This paper discusses the debate over whether African authors should write their original books in their native language when relating the African experience. It discusses whether this adds to the experience of the book and if writing it in English causes it to lose its cultural identity. The paper specifically looks at the debate from the points of view of Kenyon author Ngugi Wa Thiongo'o and his Nigerian contemporary Chinua Achebe.

From the Paper
"Sullivan (81) concludes her article on the language debate between such authors as Ngugi and Achebe and whether or not books should be written in the native language or that of the colonist by looking at the way the world is changing today and in the near future. First, she states that monolingualism has never been as usual in Africa as it is in Europe. Thus, Africa may best serve its own interests by giving people the opportunity to develop the personal language portfolios they will anyway continue to acquire. Multilingualism can be seen as a potential strength, not a divisive factor. English only one of the many languages in which Nigerians choose to express themselves."

Tags:multiligualism, monoligualism, native

Abstract
This paper introduces and discusses the books, "So Long a Letter" by Mariama Ba, "Devil on the Cross" by Ngg wa Thiongo and "July's People" by Nadine Gordimer. Specifically, the author discusses and explains gender and family in "So Long a Letter," the aspects of Colonialism and Imperialism in "Devil on the Cross," and cultural freedom and integrity in "July's People."

From the Paper
"In "So Long a Letter," Mariama Ba writes of Ramatoulaye, a Senegalese schoolteacher in her 50s, whose husband decides to take a second wife without Ramatoulaye's knowledge. Of course, the new wife is younger and prettier than Ramatoulaye, and her husband's selfish move devastates her. The book is written in the form of a touching and emotional letter to her best friend from childhood, someone she feels she can trust. "We walked the same paths from adolescence to maturity, where the past begets the present" (Ba 1). "

Tags:racism, imperialism, colonialism, mariama, ba, nadine, gordimer, Ngono, Thiongo, july, people, devil, cross, long, letter

Abstract
The paper examines African-American literature across the genres and mentions specifically the famous author, Toni Morrison. The paper discusses slave narratives, biographies and novels. The paper discusses how African-American literature has changed; the lives, beliefs and experiences of African-American writers today are different than the experiences of the first black authors. The paper shows how African-Americans have had a significant impact on the literature produced in the United States.

From the Paper
"Literature is very important. Many people love to read, and still others love to write. Together, they make a winning combination. Literature is often studied, but one aspect of it has been getting very little attention (Morgan, 1996). African-American literature has often times been ignored, or been only selectively visible, and this is especially true where women writers are concerned. However, this literature has become more important and significant in recent years, and this helps to show the important of African-American women writers."

Tags:Toni, Morrison, pain, hardship, slave, narrative, biography, novels

Abstract
This paper discusses the importance of African-American literature, in order to come to a true understanding of how influential and important this particular literature is. The paper claims that this literature has made an impact in many ways, including social, economic, environmental, cultural and historical.

Contents:
Introduction
The importance of African American Literature
The Implications of African American Literature
Social
Economic
Environmental
Cultural
Historical
How African-American Literature Has Changed -- Across the Genres
Slave Narratives and Biographies
Novels
Conclusion
Works Cited

From the Paper
"The changes in African-American literature are also very important. At least two genres will be discussed, one being slaved narratives and biographies and the other being novels, in order to understand how African-American literature has changed. It has not stayed the same over the course of time, and often it has evolved as history has evolved, changing and reshaping itself in order to fit the times that it finds itself in. Occasionally, however, a particular work of African-American literature will simply break away from what society considers as the norm for that time period, and the author will go off on his or her own to write something that he or she feels is vitally important."

Tags:black, slavery, novel, ethic, society, influence

Abstract
The paper shows how the racially thematic threads of image, Beloved's character, slave life, elements of the past, and the culmination of slave identity all point to the African-American literary genre as a powerful way for Morrison to convey her ideas on racism in America. The paper discusses how eventually, Sethe receives helps from her neighbors to remove Beloved from her life, which represents a freedom from the horrible past that African Americans have to endure in the United States.

Tags:morrison, race, novel

Abstract
The paper analyzes and compares two novels dealing with African women. It shows that in "Efuru", Flora Nwapa depicts the image of a traditional Igbo African woman and her role in African society as a woman, mother and provider. The paper examines how "Efuru" personifies all the qualities of a female hero within her society by focusing on her beliefs in the manifestation of spiritual power and strong cultural ideals. The paper then looks at "Woman at Point Zero" by Nawal El Saadawi in which the main character, Firdaus, is jailed for committing murder. It shows how "Woman at Point Zero" introduces a heroine of a different sort. Firdaus is a strong woman who makes adjustments in her life to achieve her wants and desires in life and to compensate for her lack of social and economic opportunity in a materialist and patiarchal society.

From the Paper
"Efuru's strength manifests itself in her spiritual connection with the woman of the lake and spiritual consciousness from within. After being summoned in her dreams by the woman of the lake and accepting her role as a worshiper of Uhamiri, it becomes apparent that changes begin to occur in Efuru's life. As a worshiper must reserve "Orie" night for Uhamiri by wearing white, which may symbolize the purity and goodness in Efuru. With this new stature she has inevitably become more successful in her trade and more logical in her reasoning. The environment, especially the lake and the moon, represents and suggests where the life force and spirituality of the community is derived."

Tags:Adizu, Eneberi, Nwashike, Ogene, Ogea, Bayoumi

Abstract
This paper explains that Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man" has been heralded as one of the greatest novels of the twentieth century, certainly one of the greatest novels written regarding the African American experience. The author examines the basic plot of Ellison's text. The paper notes his sources, evidence, argument, narrative and the usefulness of the text.

From the Paper
"Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man" has been heralded as one of the greatest novels of the twentieth century, certainly one of the greatest novels written regarding the African American experience. The novel itself oscillates wildly between various textual styles, incorporating realism, tragedy, and comedy effortlessly. Ellison truly created a masterwork in this novel. But what is the real significance of this text? Beyond Ellison's ability to weave together words, is there a larger cultural significance to this text? Almost immediately, most will cry out "of course there is." But what is the nature of the point that Ellison is driving at? What is the fundamental argument that is tied up in Ellison's narrative? Certainly, many critics and students of this text will quickly point out the role that racism plays in the novel."

Tags:ellison, invisible, man

Abstract
This paper explains that the women in both societies play productive roles, working in the fields, attending to all domestic duties, and educating the children. The author points out that, in both novels, the softer, more accepting nature of the female characters should not be mistaken for weakness. The paper relates that African and Indian cultures may place undue emphasis on the male role in society; but, as Achebe and Markandaya demonstrate, their cultures are not devoid of respect and care for their women.

From the Paper
"The interpretation that women in "Things Fall Apart" are at the mercy of a male dominated, sexist society is largely due to the character of Okonkwo, its central protagonist. Right through the text, Okonkwo is heard to constantly compare all signs of weakness to femininity, a worldview that also leads him into frequently asserting his masculinity with his multiple wives, family and community. Okonkwo's obsession with masculinity should not, however, be taken to represent the views of African culture, as a whole."

Tags:productive, roles, character, male, respect

Abstract
An analysis of "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe and "Efuru" by Flora Nwapa. The author examines these two novels that center around the lives of the Igbo people of East Africa. The writers reveal religious beliefs and social customs through the daily habits of the protagonists, Okonkwo and Efuru. A discussion of both.

From the paper:

"Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe and Efuru by Flora Nwapa center around the lives of the Igbo people of East Africa. In both novels, the authors reveal religious beliefs and social customs through the daily habits of the protagonists, Okonkwo and Efuru. Both are faced with challenges that involve questioning the validity of Igbo traditions. Notable characters are usually remembered for their unconventionality or tendencies to push the envelope. From Achebe's novel, the reader ascertains the development of a male point of view in Igbo civilization through Okonkwo's character."

Tags:achebe, apart, character, efuru, fall, hero, nwapa, things

Abstract
This paper examines these novels which depict the lives of Black Americans in the dominant white American society prior and after the legal abolishment of black slavery. Both novels discuss these social issues while discussing and narrating in closer detail the everyday lives of black Americans as they go through their lives in a new established society. The novels were written at slightly different time periods and the paper examines the differences in society during these times.

From the Paper
"These love stories also illustrate how the society and the people in it determine the fate and course of romantic love for the main characters. However, the novels start in a different pace: "Contending Forces" starts with the abolishment of black slavery, then proceeds with life in a society that has its black Americans as the equals of white Americans, not as slaves of them. Meanwhile, "Ambition" by Weston starts initially with the already abolished black slavery, and we are introduced to a new American society, wherein black Americans are now educated and lived as equals with the white Americans. Despite these differences in the narrative structure, both novels are great eye- openers that illustrate what American society is like after the abolishment of black slavery and what society is like with black Americans as part of the whole operation of running a functional society."

Tags:slavery, abolition, society, america, black, narrative, southern, culture