English Language and Literature ETDs

Earl A. Cash

Publication Date

11-30-1972

Abstract

John A. Williams is a black writer who has been pub­lishing non-fiction and fiction since 1960. All of his writings deal directly with the difficulties of being black in America. Commentary on Williams consists main­ly of book reviews which place him in the shadows of James Baldwin and Ralph Ellison. Only recently, with the publication of The Man Who Cried I Am (1967) and The King God Didn't Save (1970), has the author received critical attention independent of his black predecessors. However, none of the critics takes into account both Wil­liams' fiction and non-fiction. None gives an exhaustive appraisal of his development as a writer, of his ideological evolution, of the private experiences which so greatly affected his writing performance. Further, none of the critics comes to grips with Williams' own estimation of himself as an artist and a social commen­tator.

In view of such omissions this study of John A. Wil­liams presents 1) an overview of Williams as a writer, giving a detailed account of his fiction while using his non-fiction as thematic and ideological background; 2)an investigation of the author's metamorphosis and ma­turity as writer and thinker; and 3) an insight into the author's views on the role of the black writer in America.

The dissertation consists of five sections. In the Introduction, the goals and the format for achieving them are outlined. Part One reviews themes in the non-fiction which relate directly to the fiction. Part Two examines the novels in detail. Theme development, style, plot, characterization, dialogue, journalistic and historical influences are all noted as they explain Williams' progression. The Conclusion presents inferences which can be drawn from the overall study, and the Appendix includes two interviews with the author. These interviews help to illuminate his writings as well as his ideas on what it means to be a black writer in America today.

Ultimately the study of the writings of Williams should demonstrate his conviction that the black writer must be a student of history and a writer committed to correcting historical falsehoods about Blacks. The study should also illustrate his conviction that the craft of fiction is as important as the subject matter. With this dual interest in being a historical commentator and an expert craftsman of the novel, John A. Williams emerges as one of the most innovative novelist writing in America today.

Degree Name

English

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

English

First Committee Member (Chair)

Robert E. Fleming

Second Committee Member

James Francis Barbour

Third Committee Member

David A. Remley

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

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