Title: Not so simple : the "Simple" stories by Langston Hughes /
Authors: Harper, Donna Sullivan.; Hughes, Langston, 1902-1967
Publisher: University of Missouri Press,
Year: 1995
Subjects: Hughes, Langston, Characters Simple.; African American men in literature.; African Americans in literature; Simple (Fictitious character)
Abstract: "The "Simple" stories, Langston Hughes's satirical pieces featuring Harlem's Jesse B. Semple, have been lauded as Hughes's greatest contribution to American fiction. In Not So Simple, Donna Akiba Sullivan Harper provides the first full historical analysis of the Simple stories."--BOOK JACKET. "Harper traces the evolution and development of Simple from his 1943 appearance in Hughes's weekly Chicago Defender column through his 1965 farewell in the New York Post. Drawing on correspondence and manuscripts of the stories, Harper explores the development of the Simple collections, from Simple Speaks His Mind (1950) to Simple's Uncle Sam (1965), providing fresh and provocative perspectives on both Hughes and the characters who populate his stories."--BOOK JACKET. "Harper discusses the nature of Simple, Harlem's "everyman," and the way in which Hughes used his character both to teach fellow Harlem residents about their connection to world events and to give black literature a hero whose "day-after-day heroism" would exemplify greatness. She explores the psychological, sociological, and literary meanings behind the Simple stories, and suggests ways in which the stories illustrate lessons of American history and political science. She also examines the roles played by women in these humorously ironic fictions. Ultimately, Hughes's attitudes as an author are measured against the views of other prominent African American writers."--BOOK JACKET.
Contents: Introduction: "Day-after-day heroism" -- The Simple setting : the 1940s in the Chicago defender -- The "Here to yonder" column : Hughes in two voices -- Simple comes to life -- Negotiations : finding a publisher for Simple -- Readings and revisions -- Simple takes a wife ... and Broadway -- Simple claims the best -- Simple's last moves -- Conclusion : Simple's curtain call -- Appendix A. "Here to yonder" columns, 1942-1949 -- Appendix B. Contents of Simple speaks his mind.