This is the first article in a series where I explore things that are typically left out of our high school education. This article focuses on filling in the gaps in our English Literature courses.
I was angry last year. Practically my whole English Literature syllabus was the workings of dead white men, such as Shakespeare and Charles Dickens. In the poetry anthology, only thirty-three per cent of the poets were women. I thought it was completely ridiculous and I was even more annoyed when no one else seemed to be annoyed by this fact. So I’m going to share some amazing writers that are excluded from the canon; despite being utterly worthy of existing within it.
Audre Lorde
Audre Lorde, a self-described “black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet”. Lorde dedicated both her life and her creative talent to addressing issues of racism, sexism, classism and homophobia. She published her first poem in Seventeen magazine while still in high school. In 1972, Lorde met her long-time partner, Frances Clayton after divorcing her husband with whom she had two children with. Throughout her career, Lorde explored her place as a black, queer woman in white academia. Lorde’s contribution to feminist theory, critical race studies and queer theory intertwine her political aims and her personal experiences. A key essay of hers was “The Master’s Tools Will Not Dismantle the Master’s House”. Lorde once stated that “I have a duty to speak the truth as I see it”. She was key to many liberation movements and activist circles. Her account of overcoming breast cancer and mastectomy in “The Cancer Journals” is regarded as a major work of illness narrative. Her novel “Zam: A New Spelling of My Name” is said to beautifully combine elements of history, biography and myth. “Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches”, Lorde’s nonfiction prose, has become an integral text in Black studies, women’s studies and queer theory.
The Brontë Sisters
Charlotte, Emily and Anne Bronte were sisters and writers whose novels have become classics. The sisters were often left alone together in their isolated home and all began to write stories at an early age. In 1846, the sisters published their own volume of poetry under pseudonyms including Currer, Ellis and Acton. They all went on to publish novels which included “Agnes Grey”, “Jane Eyre”, “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall” and “Wuthering Heights”. Their stories immediately attracted attention for their passion and originality.
Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou was born as Marguerite Johnson in Missouri. Angelou became one of the most influential voices of our time. Angelou became a celebrated poet, memoirist, educator, dramatist, producer, actress, historian, filmmaker and civil rights activist. With the help of her good friend James Baldwin, she began work on the book “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”. It received international acclaim and made the bestseller list. The book, however, was banned from many schools for her honesty about being sexually abused. Maya Angelou has written thirty-six books. Her movie drama “Georgia, Georgia” helped her became one of the first African American women to have a screenplay turned into a feature film. Her poetry drew heavily on her personal history. She became known as “Dr Angelou”, despite her lack of college education. She became a professor of American studies. In 2011, Angelou was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
James Baldwin
James Baldwin was an American essayist, novelist and playwright. He grew up in poverty in Harlem, New York City. His book of essays, “Nobody Knows My Name” explores black-white relations in the United States. This theme is also central to his novel “Another Country” which examines sexual and racial issues. His bitter play about racist oppression, “Blues for Mister Charlie” played on Broadway in 1964. Other novels of his includes “If Beale Street Could Talk” and “The Price of the Ticket”. He was acclaimed for his insights on race, spirituality and humanity. As well as novels, Baldwin published numerous poems and short stories. During his life, Baldwin, constantly encountered discrimination, being turned away from restaurants, bars and other establishments because he was African American.
All I can say is that I’m so happy that the incredible Andrea Levy is on my syllabus this year. Andrea Levy is a British author. Andrea was born in London in 1956, growing up black in what was still a very white England. This experience has given her a complex perspective on the country of her birth. The book of hers that I’m studying is ‘Small Island’, which is told from the perspective of four characters: Queenie, Hortense, Gilbert, and Bernard. The point of view shifts frequently between these characters and across the years, spanning from just after World War I to 1948. It explores the themes of manner and civilization, race and prejudice, redemption, displacement and belonging and marriage and women’s roles.
I hope you’ve learnt about some awesome writers and I hope that you’ll look into their work. In the future, remember that you should always explore work beyond your course’s curriculum—especially if it only shows the works of dead white men.
