The concept of
multiculturalism
in US literature
the end of the 1960s and 1970s - transition from internal policy to the
doctrine of multiculturalism in all spheres of social and spiritual life
Multiculturalism
in US literature
meaning: giving a voice to representatives of racial, ethnic and other
historical background minorities that had been deprived of representation in the socio-cultural
space of America for a long time.
request for future specialists in the field of literature to understand the
consequences of the "multicultural turn" for the course of the literary process.
the metaphor to describe the processes in American civilization in
social-political, scientific-humanitarian, and mass-household discourses at
that time was the "melting pot"
Multiculturalism This sacramental question was raised by the Frenchman St. John de
in US literature Crequer (1735-1818), who emigrated to America in 1759.
“Who is an American, this
new man?”
”...an American is one “who, leaving behind all his former convictions and
beliefs, receives new ones from the new way of life he has chosen, from the
new government he obeys, from the new title he holds. He becomes an
American when our great alma mater embraces him...".
Multiculturalism One of the main results of the officially declared transition of American
in US literature society to the cultural diversity was the selection of works written by
representatives of ethnic and other minorities from the general array of
the influence on literature American literature.
This process began in the 1970s and continues today.
Multiculturalism Toni Morrison (1931-2019) - a Nobel Prize winner, who went beyond the
framework of African-American literature and personifies modern American
in US literature literature.
the most significant
At the center of most of the writer's works is a racial theme, as well as feminism,
representatives which continues the traditions of the national literature of the United States.
The novel "Beloved"
African-American
heritage - classic of the second half of the 20th century.
- reveals the problems of physical and spiritual freedom, slavery and their
influence on the psychology of women and mothers.
The novel "Mercy"
- parallels between modernity and the 17th century
- polyphony in the novel is an allusion to multiethnicity and
multiraciality as one of the most important factors that determine the
identity of the national American culture.
Multiculturalism Percival Everett (1956-) - one the most modern African-American authors
in US literature
The author’s focus is on the problems of racial and ethnic identity
the most significant
representatives
African-American
The novel "I am Not Sidney Poitier"
heritage
- postmodern game to parody the stereotypes and clichés that have taken
root in American literature to depict slavery
- The main theme of the novel is the theme of self-identification
Multiculturalism Scott Momaday (Navarro Scott Momaday) 1934-) - a Pulitzer Prize winner and the
in US literature nominee for Nobel Prize, a representative of the so-called first row of modern
American writers. The author praises indians’ customs and identity.
the most significant
representatives
The novel "House Made of Dawn"
Native Americans (indians)
heritage - The use of the folklore tradition and mythology
- The main theme is the beauty of the old customs of Native
Americans and their viability for the newest generation
Multiculturalism Maxine Hong Kingston 1940-) - the author of one of the most studied works of
in US literature American literature. Much of the work is rooted in her experience as a
first-generation Chinese American.
the most significant
The novel "The woman warrior"
representatives
- in the centre - the conflict of generations - immigrant parents, bearers of
Chinese heritage their traditional culture, and US-born children, who have already become
"real" Americans. The formation of the personality of the main
character-narrator who is trying to find her "I".
Amy Tan 1952-) - addresses the problem of ethnic self-identification and
generational conflict in Chinese American families
The novel "Club of Joy and Luck"
- presents a feminist perspective on generational conflict in Chinese
immigrant families in the United States
Multiculturalism Rodolfo Gonzales, José Antonio Villarreal, Rudolfo Anaya are the most famous
in US literature representatives of Chicano (Mexican) literature which mainly focuses on the
the most significant problems of self-determination and assimilation.
representatives
Mexican heritage
The novel "Poncho"
- the intense conflict between loyalty to the traditions of his family's past
and attraction to new ideas.
- the issues the young man faces trying to obtain his adulthood and dealing
both with past and new future in a new country.
Multiculturalism The tradition of Jewish literature in the United States was formed in the second
in US literature
half of the 20th century. Some noticeable representatives are Saul Bellow (Nobel
the most significant laureate), Bernard Malamud (winner of many literary awards), Philip Roth (“living
representatives classic”).
Jewish heritage
Mostly, the authors address the topic of assimilation and transformation
into “real” Americans traditions of the Jewish way of life.
Multiculturalism Main components in multicultural American literature
in US literature
- racial literature, which includes African-American literature;
conclusion
- the literature of the indigenous population (Indians);
- racial-ethnic literature, represented mostly by Asian components;
- ethnic literature, representing the diversity of ethnic cultures in the
United States.
Thank you
for your attention
