English 250 - Winter, 2012

Romantic Literature

Class Information

Instructor: Simpson, David
CRN: 53874
Time: R 3:10-6:00
Location: 120 Voorhies

Description

We will read three of the exemplary slave narratives (Equiano, Cuguano, Prince) and some novels about slavery (Obi, Belinda, Hamel) along with poetry by (for example) Wheatley, Blake, Coleridge, Southey) and other related texts. We will pay special attention to questions of voice: who is speaking? For whom? How and where? We will also be reading some of the crucial texts on the ethics and 'theory' of slavery: Clarkson, Hegel, Locke, the Bible etc. Alejo Carpentier's classic 'Kingdom of this Earth'(in English) will provide a 20th century reflection on the Haitian Revolution.

Grading

Attendance at all classes, participation, and a term paper of 18-20 pp. are required for a final grade.

Texts

Kingdom of this World, Carpentier
Essays on the Slavery and Commerce, Clarkson and Cuguano
Belinda, Edgeworth
Obi, Earle
Classic Slave Narratives, Ed Gates
Hamel, Williams