About the book
Through a cultural study of writings about slavery in the United States, Smooth Operating and Other Social Acts uncovers a mode of behavior adopted by African Americans for relief from the brutality of black bondage. Roland Leander Williams grants that African Americans have been beaten, but he guarantees that they have not been broken. While he acknowledges that they have been demeaned, he assures that they have not been diminished. Williams confesses that African Americans have been done harm, but he confirms that they have not become disheartened. Close readings of classic slave narratives, along with some neo-slave narratives—including The Conjure Woman (1899), Kindred (1979), Dessa Rose (1986), and The Good Lord Bird (2013)—furnish proof that African Americans have preserved their dignity and elevated their status through ingenious applications of improvisation. Smooth Operating and Other Social Acts establishes as well that a dim view of African Americans, propagated by black bondage, bears a resemblance to sexual discrimination, which prompts female targets of its gaze to practice dissembling.
Editions of Smooth Operating and Other Social Acts
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781438489476
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781438489469
- PDF
- ISBN 9781438489483
Read an Excerpt
Through a cultural study of writings about slavery in the United States, Smooth Operating and Other Social Acts uncovers a mode of behavior adopted by African Americans for relief from the brutality of black bondage. Roland Leander Williams grants that African Americans have been beaten, but he guarantees that they have not been broken. While he acknowledges that they have been demeaned, he assures that they have not been diminished. Williams confesses that African Americans have been done harm, but he confirms that they have not become disheartened. Close readings of classic slave narratives, along with some neo-slave narratives—including The Conjure Woman (1899), Kindred (1979), Dessa Rose (1986), and The Good Lord Bird (2013)—furnish proof that African Americans have preserved their dignity and elevated their status through ingenious applications of improvisation. Smooth Operating and Other Social Acts establishes as well that a dim view of African Americans, propagated by black bondage, bears a resemblance to sexual discrimination, which prompts female targets of its gaze to practice dissembling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Smooth Operating and Other Social Acts about?
Through a cultural study of writings about slavery in the United States, Smooth Operating and Other Social Acts uncovers a mode of behavior adopted by African Americans for relief from the brutality of black bondage. Roland Leander Williams grants that African Americans have been beaten, but he guarantees that they have not been broken. While he acknowledges that they have been demeaned, he assures that they have not been diminished. Williams confesses that African Americans have been done harm, but he confirms that they have not become disheartened. Close readings of classic slave narratives, along with some neo-slave narratives—including The Conjure Woman (1899), Kindred (1979), Dessa Rose (1986), and The Good Lord Bird (2013)—furnish proof that African Americans have preserved their dignity and elevated their status through ingenious applications of improvisation. Smooth Operating and Other Social Acts establishes as well that a dim view of African Americans, propagated by black bondage, bears a resemblance to sexual discrimination, which prompts female targets of its gaze to practice dissembling.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Smooth Operating and Other Social Acts?
Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Literature: history and criticism
Where can I read a sample of Smooth Operating and Other Social Acts?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781438489476
How long is Smooth Operating and Other Social Acts and how many pages does it have?
Smooth Operating and Other Social Acts has 190 page(s)
Is Smooth Operating and Other Social Acts part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series SUNY series in Multiethnic Literatures
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Smooth Operating and Other Social Acts?
Roland Leander Williams
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Smooth Operating and Other Social Acts is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781438489476) and paperback(ISBN 9781438489469) and pdf(ISBN 9781438489483)
Where can I buy Smooth Operating and Other Social Acts online or support local independent bookshops?
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Where can I buy Smooth Operating and Other Social Acts?