Explorations in Sights and Sounds
Orginal Publication Date
1984
Journal Title
Explorations in Sights and Sounds
Volume
4
Issue
ess/vol4/iss1
First Page
17
Last Page
18
Abstract
John R. Cooley's Savages and Naturals is a critical analysis of the ways in which "modern" American writers have depicted black characters. His thesis, briefly stated, is that in their fiction white American writers portray black Americans as primitives-as "savages" or as "naturals." "Savages" are those who are perceived as intrinsically evil and who consequently represent a threat to civilized society. "Naturals" are those who are simple, essentially rustic folk (the term is only roughly synonymous to the traditional "noble savage").
Rights
Copyright, ©EES, The National Association for Ethnic Studies, 1984