sermon and the African American literary imagination, The

By Dolan Hubbard

Book Description

In the rich tapestry of African American culture, the sermon stands as more than religious discourse—it serves as a wellspring of artistic expression that has profoundly shaped literary tradition. Dolan Hubbard illuminates this powerful connection, revealing how the rhythms, themes, and spiritual vision of black preaching have woven themselves into the fabric of American literature.

Drawing from the oral traditions and ritual performances that define the black church experience, this scholarly exploration demonstrates how sermons function as aesthetic constructs, much like jazz and blues, creating a unique cultural language. Hubbard traces the preacher's historic role as both spiritual guide and community organizer, showing how the pulpit became a space for articulating black social reality and collective vision.

Through careful analysis of works by Frederick Douglass, Zora Neale Hurston, James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, and other luminaries, the author reveals how literary masters have channeled the expressive power of sermonic style into their prose. The book examines recurring spiritual themes that resonate across generations: the pursuit of freedom and literacy, the search for identity within community, and the transformation of historical struggle into transcendent vision.

This work offers readers a deeper understanding of how spiritual expression shapes artistic creation, demonstrating the enduring influence of sacred oratory on American literary imagination. For those interested in the intersection of faith, culture, and creative expression, this study provides valuable insights into the spiritual foundations of literary artistry.

Who Is This For?

📖 Reading Level: Short (< 200 pages) (~5 hours)

📄 Length: 176 pages

What You'll Discover

✓ Explore Sermons américains
✓ Explore Littérature américaine
✓ Explore History and criticism
✓ Explore Letterkunde
✓ Explore African Americans
✓ Explore Predigt
✓ Explore Rezeption
✓ Explore Histoire et critique

Topics Covered

Sermons américains Littérature américaine History and criticism Letterkunde African Americans Predigt Rezeption Histoire et critique American literature Noirs américains Schwarze African Americans in literature Religious aspects of Fiction American Sermons Aspect religieux Literatur Roman 18.06 Anglo-American literature University of South Alabama Intellectual life Christianisme African American authors Auteurs noirs américains Christianity Preken Amerikaans Christianity and literature Fiction Science-fiction Christianisme et littérature Religious aspects Religion Noirs américains dans la littérature Dans la littérature Sermons, American