Various Authors — ENGL 3345 Timeline of African American Literature

Upon arrival in America, African slaves were no longer themselves, but property forced to give up their identity and wear a mask of servitude and automation. However, over a rich and varied concealed metamorphosis, the mask of anonymity evolved through many stages to that of a vestigial veil, one that was hiding that which was demanding to be shown. Through each stage of literature, the mask changed and the identity of the wearer became ever more apparent as the visor became more transparent. Through each mask, the semblance of culture came to be; through the establishment of dialogue to the recognition of the individual as part of the even more powerful collective. Though the mask was eventually removed, it stands as an ever present symbol of the creation of the literary tradition of African American literature and culture, and one that can be shared with another. And by donning that mask, one can look through and relive that revolution and become part of that community of culture. 1700 and Prior: The Mask of Mental Escape “I Know Moon-Rise” "I know moon-rise, I know star-rise, Lay dis body down. I walk in de moonlight, I walk in de starlight, To lay dis body down. I 'll walk in de graveyard, I 'll walk through de graveyard, To lay dis body down. I 'll lie in de grave and stretch out my arms ; Lay dis body down. I go to de judgment in de evenin' of de day, When I lay dis body down ; And my soul and your soul will meet in de day When I lay dis body down." 1746: The Mask of Mimicry “Bars Fight” by Lucy Terry August ’twas the twenty-fifth, Seventeen hundred forty-six; The Indians did in ambush lay, Some very valiant men to slay, The names of whom I’ll not leave out. Samuel Allen like a hero fout, And though he was so brave and bold, His face no more shalt we behold Eteazer Hawks was killed outright, Before he had time to fight, – Before he did the Indians see, Was shot and killed immediately. Oliver Amsden he was slain, Which caused his friends much grief and pain. Simeon Amsden they found dead, Not many rods distant from his head. Adonijah Gillett we do hear Did lose his life which was so dear. John Sadler fled across the water, And thus escaped the dreadful slaughter. Eunice Allen see the Indians coming, And hopes to save herself by running, And had not her petticoats stopped her, The awful creatures had not catched her, Nor tommy hawked her on the head, And left her on the ground for dead. Young Samuel Allen, Oh lack-a-day! Was taken and carried to Canada. 1778: The Mask(s) of Communication From Hammon’s “An Address to Miss Phillis Wheatly” O come you pious youth! adore The wisdom of thy God, In bringing thee from distant shore, To learn His holy word. 1798: The “Dream” is Masked From Smith’s “The Life and Adventures of Venture” "-O! that they had walked in the way of their father. But a father's lips are closed in silence and in grief!--Vanity of vanities, all is vanity!" 1828: The Cloak of Creation From “Theresa, A Haytien Tale” by S "During the long and bloody contest, in St. Domingo, between the white man, who flourished the child of sensuality, rioting on the miseries of his slaves; had the sons of Africa, who, provoked to madness, and armed themselves against the French barbarity…” 1845: The Framed Mask of Economics From the Preface of “The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass” A beloved friend from New Bedford prevailed on Mr. Douglass to address the convention: He came forward to the platform with hesitancy and embarrassment, necessarily the attendants of a sensitive mind in such a novel position. 1852: Our Own Mask From Delany’s "The Condition, Elevation, Emigration and Destiny of the Colored People of the United States" "In presenting this work, we have but a single object in view, and that is, to inform the minds of the colored people at large, upon many things pertaining to their elevation, that but few among us are acquainted with. Unfortunately for us, as a body, we have been taught to believe, that we must have some person to think for us, instead of thinking for ourselves." 1899: The Mask is Removed From Charles Chestnutt’s “The Wife of His Youth” "Suppose, too, that, as the years went by, this man’s memory of the past grew more and more indistinct, until at last it was rarely, except in his dreams, that any image of this bygone period rose before his mind." "Permit me to introduce to you the wife of my youth."