University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Female slave portrayals in child and young adult historical fiction by African American authors

Onuora, Ngozi

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/49412

Description

Title
Female slave portrayals in child and young adult historical fiction by African American authors
Author(s)
Onuora, Ngozi
Issue Date
2014-05-30T16:42:38Z
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Harris, Violet J.
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Harris, Violet J.
Committee Member(s)
  • Willis, Arlette I.
  • Moller, Karla J.
  • Anderson, James D.
Department of Study
Curriculum and Instruction
Discipline
Curriculum and Instruction
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ed.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
  • Slavery
  • chattel slavery
  • U.S. slavery
  • female slaves
  • slave portrayals
  • children’s literature
  • young adult literature
  • historical fiction
  • African American authors
  • critical race theory
  • critical black feminism
  • black feminist criticism
  • middle-level students
  • middle-grade students
  • literary analysis
  • literary criticism
  • textual analysis
Abstract
This study explored several works of historical fiction focused on slavery in the United States written by African-Americans for middle-level children. This exploration juxtaposed portrayals of female slaves developed by African-American female authors with portrayals created by African-American male authors. Historical fiction for children and young adults was collected and analyzed using literary criticism and literary theory that is interpretive in nature. Several key themes of the literature were identified as critical to understanding the slave experiences of black women in the United States. A combination of critical race theory and critical black feminism served as the theoretical lenses from which the portrayals were critiqued. The research suggested the importance of understanding the historical contributions of black girls and women to our country during the ante- and post-bellum eras. The use of historical fiction to supplement the social studies and American history curricula for middle grade youth was recommended.
Graduation Semester
2014-05
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/49412
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2014 Ngozi Onuora

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