A critical edition of Roark Bradford's novel and play on the iconic John Henry, this volume provides a rich introduction that contextualizes both works and highlights the role of the blues in both works. Roark Bradford's 1931 novel and 1939 play dealing with the legendary folk-hero John Henry (both titled John Henry) were extremely influential in their own time, but have since then been nearly forgotten. Steven C. Tracy has united these hard-to-find works in a single critical edition that helps contextualize-and revive-both texts. An expansive introduction explores Bradford's life; recounts critical responses to his works; and surveys John Henry's pervasive influence infolk, literary, and popular culture. The volume also features a wide array ofsupplementary materials including a selected bibliography and discography, transcriptions of folksong texts and recordings available during the 1930s, and a chronology of the lives of both Bradford and Henry. As Tracy's introductionmakes clear, such a consideration of Bradford--set in the context of writers,both black and white, drawing upon African American folklore and using dialects along with stereotypical and non-stereotypical portrayals--is long overdue.This new edition is a windfall for scholars and students of folklore and African American literature. INDICE: Introduction Bibliography for introduction Discography of recordings echoing the folk tradition in the novel Transcriptions of versions of the folk songs John Henry folk song bibliography John Henry bibliography, 1932-Present John Henry folk song discography, 1921-1931 Roark Bradford Bibliography Reviews of the novel Reviews of the play Roark Bradford Chronology John Henry: the novel I. The Birth of John Henry II. Coonjine III. The Black River Country Bend Your Back and Sing Roll, You Wheelers VI. Back of Town VII. Julie Anne VIII. Fourteen-Thirty-Six IX. Woman on My Weary Mind X. Poor Selma XI. Stacker Lee XII. The Poor Selma "Gris Gris" XIII. Man's Ever Burden XIV. Hand in Hand XV. Shoulder Your Load and Walk John Henry's Pathway XVI. John Henry's Pathway XVII. Ring, Steel, Ring XVIII. Down the Road XIX. The Way with Women XX. Doingfor His Woman XXI. The How Long Song XXII. No Rest for the Weary Burden XXIII. Lord, My Burden XXIV. John Henry Lays His Burden Down XXV. John Henry's LastGo
- ISBN: 978-0-19-976650-5
- Editorial: Oxford University
- Encuadernacion: Rústica
- Páginas: 220
- Fecha Publicación: 28/07/2011
- Nº Volúmenes: 1
- Idioma: Inglés