Prison literature

Prison literature

Prison literature is a literary genre characterized by literature that is written while the author is confined in a location against his will, such as a prison, jail or house arrest.

Some notable historical examples of prison literature include Boethius's "Consolation of Philosophy" (524 AD) which has been described as “by far the most interesting example of prison literature the world has ever seen.” [Catholic Encyclopedia [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02610b.htm] . The quote is commonly seen in a number of sources, but without attribution; the Catholic Encyclopedia article is the oldest “known” citation found.] Hugo Grotius wrote his "Commentaries" while in prison. Miguel de Cervantes was held captive as a galley slave between 1575-80 and from this he drew inspiration for his novel "Don Quixote" (1605). Sir Walter Raleigh compiled his "History of the World, Volume 1" in a prison chamber in the Tower of London, but he was only able to complete Volume 1 before he was executed. John Bunyan wrote The Pilgrim's Progress (1678) while in jail. Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German while held at Wartburg Castle.

A number of postcolonial texts have been published based on the author's experiences in prison. Nigerian author Chris Abani’s book of poetry Kalakuta Republic is based on his experiences in prison. Pramoedya Ananta Toer wrote the Buru Quartet while in prison in Indonesia. Kenya author Ngugi wa Thiong'o's prison diary Detained was published in 1981.

Postcolonial novels that might also be considered prison literature are the following. Nigerian author Ken Saro-Wiwa, executed while in prison, wrote Sozaboy about a naïve young soldier who is imprisoned. South African author Alex LaGuma’s In the Fog of the Season's End is about a jailed black dissident. Derek Walcott’s Dream on Monkey Mountain takes place in a prison, as does Nawal El Saadawi's Woman at Point Zero.

Notes


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Prison literature in the United States — Prison writing is literature written by people who are incarcerated. It is a distinct literary phenomenon which is increasingly studied as such by academics. [ [http://cfp.english.upenn.edu/archive/2003 07/0107.html Call for Papers: American… …   Wikipedia

  • literature — /lit euhr euh cheuhr, choor , li treuh /, n. 1. writings in which expression and form, in connection with ideas of permanent and universal interest, are characteristic or essential features, as poetry, novels, history, biography, and essays. 2.… …   Universalium

  • Prison officer — Finnish Prison Officer Occupation Names Correctional officer, corrections officer, detention officer Activity sectors Law enforcement …   Wikipedia

  • Prison rape in the United States — Prison rape commonly refers to the rape of inmates in prison by other inmates or prison staff. In 2001, Human Rights Watch estimated that at least 140,000 inmates had been raped while incarcerated. [1] and there is a significant variation in the… …   Wikipedia

  • Prison reform — is the attempt to improve conditions inside prisons, aiming at a more effective penal system.TheoryA precise definition refers to an attempt to change the penal system, typically from one model to another. Changing back to an earlier model is… …   Wikipedia

  • Prison ship — The forbidding form of the beached convict ship HMS Discovery at Deptford. Launched as a 10 gun sloop at Rotherhithe in 1789, the ship served as a convict hulk from 1818 until scrapped in February 1834.[1] …   Wikipedia

  • Prison — Criminal justice portal Jail and Gaol redirect here. For other uses, see Jail (disambiguation). For other uses, see Prison (disambiguation). A prison (from Old French prisoun) …   Wikipedia

  • Topic outline of literature — Literature is prose, written or oral, including fiction and non fiction, drama and poetry. See also the list of basic poetry topics.The following topic outline is provided as an overview of and introduction to literature: TOC Essence of… …   Wikipedia

  • Prison tattooing — Tattoos on the back of a Dead Man Incorporated gang member Prison tattooing is the practice of creating and displaying tattoos in a prison environment. They are often used to portray gang membership,[1] and are often used as a form of code and… …   Wikipedia

  • Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist — Infobox Book name = Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist title orig = translator = image caption = Title page of the first edition author = Alexander Berkman illustrator = cover artist = country = language = series = subject = Anarchism, Prison genre …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”