"I KILL WHITE MENS ... CAUSE I CAN": THE REWRITING OF LIBERATION AND MASTERY IN DESSA ROSE.

The article presents literary criticism of the book "Dessa Rose" by Sherley Anne Williams. It explores the relationship between race, gender, and freedom in the novel. According to the author, the book critiques Black male authors' conception of liberation as a form of power attainable through acts...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Criticism Vol. 55; no. 1; pp. 119 - 146
Main Author:	Burns, Phyllis Lynne
Format:	Literary Criticism
Published:	Wayne State University Press Winter2013
Subjects:	Dessa Rose (Book) Williams, Sherley Anne, 1944-1999 Slavery in literature Power (Social sciences) in literature Sex crimes in literature Douglass, Frederick, 1818-1895 Turner, Nat, ca. 1800-1831
Online Access:	View this record in EBSCOhost

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Summary:	The article presents literary criticism of the book "Dessa Rose" by Sherley Anne Williams. It explores the relationship between race, gender, and freedom in the novel. According to the author, the book critiques Black male authors' conception of liberation as a form of power attainable through acts of sexual violence. Details on the subjugation of black women in literature about slavery are presented. Other topics include abolitionist Frederick Douglass and enslaved leader Nat Turner.