The Black Drama
This collection of essays explores the history and development of African American drama from its roots in slave spirituals to the Harlem Renaissance. It examines the works of playwrights such as Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, and discusses the impact of racism on the genre. The book also delves into the role of theater in social change and the ways in which it has been used to challenge racist attitudes and promote equality.
By Manly Wade Wellman · First published 1940 · Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Horror · 33,658 words
First lines
Powers, passions, all I see in other beings, Have been to me as rain unto the sands Since that all-nameless hour. Lord Byron: Manfred
We, the undersigned, having read the appended statement of Gilbert Connatt, do hereby declare it to be true in substance.
What this Textopian page supports
The Black Drama is listed on Textopian as a novel by Manly Wade Wellman, dated 1940 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Manly Wade Wellman
- Date: 1940 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Southern Gothic
- Length: 33,658 words
- Structure: 1 section, 757 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Black Drama by Manly Wade Wellman
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Black Drama?
- How does this novel by Manly Wade Wellman fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Drama first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Drama — The narrative focuses on intense emotional conflicts and character development, typical of dramatic literature.
- Fantasy — Elements of the supernatural and imaginative settings are prevalent, characteristic of the fantasy genre.
- Horror — The presence of dark themes and unsettling scenarios aligns with horror conventions.
- Mystery — The plot involves suspenseful elements and the unraveling of secrets, common in mystery narratives.
Tags
American Literature · Drama · Fiction · Historical Fiction · Literary Analysis · Play · Racism · Slavery · Social Commentary · Southern Gothic · Theatre · African American Experience