Ulysses in Black: Ralph Ellison, Classicism, and African American Literature (Wisconsin Studies in Classics)

268 Pages·2006·0.89 MB·English

by  Patrice D. Rankine

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Ulysses in Black
Publication of this volume has been made possible in
large part through the generous support and enduring vision of
Warren G.Moon.
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Ulysses in Black
Ralph Ellison, Classicism, and
African American Literature
patrice d. rankine
the university of wisconsin press
The University ofWisconsin Press
1930Monroe Street
Madison,Wisconsin 53711
www.wisc.edu/wisconsinpress/
3Henrietta Street
London wc2e 8lu,England
Copyright © 2006
The Board of Regents of the University ofWisconsin System
All rights reserved
5 4 3 2 1
Printed in the United States ofAmerica
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Rankine,Patrice D.
Ulysses in Black:Ralph Ellison,classicism,and
African American literature / Patrice D.Rankine.
p.cm.—(Wisconsin studies in classics)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN0-299-22000-1(alk.paper)
1.American literature—African American authors—History and
criticism.2.American literature—African American authors—
Greek influences.3.American literature—African American authors—
Classical influences.4.Ellison,Ralph—Criticism and interpretation.
5.Odysseus (Greek mythology) in literature.6.Mythology,Classical,
in literature.7.Classicism in literature.8.Literature,Comparative—
Modern and classical.I.Title.II.Series.
ps153.n5r34 2006
818´.5409—dc22 2006008598
for
Donté Nesta Shaw,
Trevin D. Gibson,
and the next
generation of readers

Contents
Prologue: Preparing for the Journey of Ulysses in Black / 3
1.Classica Africana: The Nascent Study of Black Classicism / 22
journey 1: From Eurocentrism to Black Classicism
2.Birth of a Hero: The Poetics and Politics of Ulysses in
Classical Literature / 37
3.Ulysses Lost on Racial Frontiers: The Limits of Classicism in the
Modern World / 66
4.The New Negro Ulysses: Classicism in African American Literature
as a Return from the Black (W)hole / 83
journey 2: Ralph Ellison’s Black American Ulysses
5.“Ulysses alone in Polly-what’s-his-name’s cave”:
Ralph Ellison and the Uses of Myth / 121
6.Ulysses in Black: Lynching,Dismemberment,Dionysiac Rites / 152
7.Ulysses (Re)Journeying Home: Bridging the Divide between
Black Studies and the Classics / 180
Notes / 193
References Cited / 219
Index / 237

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Ulysses in Black