The slave narrative is a literary genre consisting of written autobiographical accounts by enslaved people, particularly black Africans enslaved in the Americas, though other examples exist. An estimated six thousand such narratives exist, with about 150 published as separate books or pamphlets; in the United States during the 1930s, the Works Progress Administration additionally sponsored the collection of more than 2,300 oral histories of life under slavery.
Facts
Place of OriginFirst published in England in the 18th century, then becoming the main form of African-American literature in the 19th-century United States. 1 Notable ExampleFrederick Douglass's Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave (Boston, 1845). 1 Defining TraitWritten autobiographical accounts of enslaved persons, chiefly black Africans enslaved in the Americas, though other examples exist. 1 Connections
Sources
1. Slave Narrative (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundationen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slave_narrative, lead paragraph, first sentence
The slave narrative is a type of literary genre involving the (written) autobiographical accounts of enslaved persons, particularly black Africans enslaved in the Americas, though many other examples exist.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slave_narrative, North American slave narratives section
Slave narratives by African slaves from North America were first published in England in the 18th century. They soon became the main form of African-American literature in the 19th century.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slave_narrative, Tales to inspire the abolitionist movement, Douglass entry
Frederick Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Boston, 1845
View the Source Frequently Asked Questions
When did slave narratives begin to be published?
First published in England in the 18th century.
Slave narratives by African slaves from North America were first published in England in the 18th century. They soon became the main form of African-American literature in the 19th century United States.
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