Explore Black History

1978

A white plastic cassette tape with recordings of two episodes of the radio program The Literary Corner. The cassette has a beige label on which typewritten text on one side reads [THE LITERARY CORNER / Intro to African-English Prose]. The typewritten text on the other side reads [THE LITERARY CORNER /Eldred Jones on Chinua Achebe].
Side A: “Introduction to African English Fiction/Prose with Brooks Robinson”
Episode 22 of the Literary Corner radio program entitled “Introduction to African English Fiction/Prose with Brooks Robinson.” The episode commences with the host, Brooks Robinson, stating that the discussion will begin with the initial African prosaic fiction writers and close with contemporary writers. Robinson then states that “The inhabitants of the African continent were some of the last to actually sit down and write literature.” At one point, Robinson clarifies by stating that the discussion is about African English literature, since Arabic, French and other European languages were used to write African literature prior to the development of anglophone African literature. Some of the subjects covered in this episode include Olaudah Equiano’s first novel, published in the 1790s; Thomas Mofolo and his novels Moeti oa bochabela, Pitseng and Chaka; writers from West Africa such as Gabriel Okora (Voices); Amos Tutuola, and Chinua Achebe (Things Fall Apart); writers from Eastern Africa, most of whom appeared in the 1960s, namely Josiah Kariuki ('Mau Mau' Detainee and Child of Two Worlds), Ngugi wa Thiong'o' (Weep Not, Child and The River Between). At the end of the episode, Robinson reiterates the fact that the discussion exclusively addressed African English literature, since African writers were writing in French, Arabic and other languages before they began to write in English.
Side B: Eldridge Jones on Chinua Achebe
Episode 23 of the Literary Corner radio show entitled “Eldred Jones on Chinua Achebe.” It is a discussion of the life and works of Nigerian novelist, poet, professor, and critic, Chinua Achebe. The episode begins with the host, Brooks Robinson, introducing his guest, Professor Eldred Jones. Most of the interview focuses on Achebe’s novels: Things Fall Apart, No Longer at Ease, Arrow of God, and the way Achebe uses them to analyze the Igbo/Nigerian situation. At one point, Professor Jones states that Things Fall Apart explores the breakdown of an African/Igbo traditional society, after its first encounter with European missionaries. He also states that in the novel, the Igbo protagonist lacked weapons to fight against the new missionary impact, backed by imperialism. The protagonist hangs himself because he could not compromise and was defeated. At the end of the interview, Robinson asks Dr. Jones if there are other major themes in Achebe’s work apart from struggle and conflict. They also engage in a brief discussion of the impact of the Nigerian civil war (also known as Biafran war) on Achebe and his work. The outro music play, signifying the end of the episode.

Cassette tape with two episodes of the Literary Corner radio program

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

The Literary Corner: Black Writers of the World

Time-based Media - Audio

BAM (Black Arts Movement 1965-1976)

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Contributed in memory of Professor Sarah Webster Fabio (1928-1979), poet, educator, Black Arts Movement icon, and one of the Literary Corner's analysts.

National Museum of African American History and Culture

2010.17.1.12a

audiotapes

© Brooks B. Robinson
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

plastic and tape

H x W (audiocassette): 2 3/4 × 4 1/4 × 5/8 in. (7 × 10.8 × 1.6 cm)
Duration (side a): 00:14:50
Duration (side b): 00:14:48

Title • The Literary Corner: Introduction to African English Fiction/Prose with Brooks Robinson (side a) / Eldred Jones on Chinua Achebe (side b)

nmaahc_2010.17.1.12a

NMAAHC

THE LITERARY CORNER: INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN ENGLISH FICTION/PROSE WITH BROOKS ROBINSON (SIDE A) / ELDRED JONES ON CHINUA ACHEBE (SIDE B)

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

1970s

Jones, Eldred • Robinson, Brooks B. • Achebe, Chinua • Cham, Robert • Mofolo, Thomas • Equiano, Olaudah

United States • North and Central America • West Africa • Nigeria • Kenya • East Africa

Slavery • Literature • Colonies • Violence • BAM (Black Arts Movement 1965-1976) • Poetry • Radio • Decolonization

Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America • Country • Nigeria • Region • West Africa • Continent • Africa • Country • Kenya • Region • East Africa

Sound recordings

Limited Use