An award-winning novelist known for emphasizing the need for black Americans to reclaim their African heritage will speak on campus Tuesday.
Paule Marshall, a Caribbean-American born and raised in New York, will present a unique presentation entitled "Myth and Memory: One Writer's Major Resource" which will combine both lecture and readings from her novels. Both a book signing and presentation are free and open to the public.
David Mair, chairman of the English department, said he is looking forward to her visit.
"This will be an excellent opportunity for students, faculty and community members alike," Mair said. "I'm very excited about it."
English professor Agymah Kamau, who suggested Marshall for the lecture series, said he respects Marshall's work since she addresses social issues and exposes people to different cultures.
"It's a perfect opportunity for people in the Oklahoma City area to meet a prominent American writer," Kamau said. "Given her prominence as a writer, I think everyone should take advantage of the opportunity."
This event is sponsored by the Friends of the College of Arts and Sciences, the James H. and JoAnn H. Holden Enrichment Fund and the English department.
Marshall's autobiographical first novel, "Brown Girl, Brownstones," published in 1959, is acclaimed for its use of a black girl protagonist, discussion of gender dynamics in a black community and rendition of character dialogue. Other noted works by Marshall include "Soul Clap Hands and Sing," "The Chosen Place, the Timeless People" and "The Fisher King."
Marshall's awards and honors include the John Dos Passos Award for Literature, a Guggenheim Fellowship and the MacArthur Foundation "genius" Award. She has taught at Yale, Columbia, Cornell and Oxford universities and is currently a distinguished chair in the Graduate Creative Writing Program at New York University.
DETAILS
Event:
Myth and Memory: One Writer's Major Resource
When:
6:30 p.m. Tuesday
Where:
Scholars Room, Oklahoma Memorial Union
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