Aimé Césaire

by Gregson Davis

Overview

Aimé Césaire is the best known poet in the French Caribbean. In this study Gregson Davis examines Césaire's extraordinary dual career as writer and elected politician. As one of the most profound critics of colonialism, Césaire, the acknowledged inventor of the famous term "negritude", has been a hugely influential figure in shaping the contemporary discourse on the postcolonial predicament. Gregson Davis' account of Césaire's intellectual growth is grounded in a careful reading of the poetry, prose and drama that illustrates the full range and depth of his literary achievement.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521390729
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	10/16/1997
Series:	Cambridge Studies in African and Caribbean Literature , #5
Pages:	228
Product dimensions:	5.75(w) x 8.82(h) x 0.71(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; Acknowledgements; Chronology; Introduction; 1. From island to metropolis: the making of a poet; 2. Exploring racial selves: 'Journal of a homecoming'; 3. Inventing a lyric voice: the forging of 'Miracle Weapons'; 4. Lyric registers: from 'Sun Cut Throat' to 'Cadaster'; 5. The turn to poetic drama; 6. The return to lyric: 'me, laminaria …'; Epilogue; Notes; Bibliography; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"Highly recommended for collections supporting advanced studies of Francophone or Caribbean literature." R. Ocasio, Choice

"Aimé Céaire offers a quick review of the scholarship and interpretations of the works and then makes its own original synthesis or reading, taking advantage of the most recent developments. It can serve as a perfect introduction to this major poet and father of ‘Negritude' and should be in all libraries." Hal Wylie, World Literature Today

From the Publisher