Frederick Douglass's Prophecies of Abolition: World Literature and the Black Romantic Man of Letters. Issue 4 (4th July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sandler, Matt
• Is Part Of: European romantic review. Volume 29:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 485
• Page End: 497
• Publication Date: 2018-07-04
• Subjects: Romanticism -- Europe -- Periodicals; European literature -- 18th century -- History and criticism -- Periodicals; Europe -- History -- 1789-1900 -- Periodicals; European literature -- 19th century -- History and criticism -- Periodicals; 809.9145
• DOI: 10.1080/10509585.2018.1487420
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1050-9585

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Frederick Douglass's citations of British Romantic poets have recently attracted the attention of scholars working in two modes of Black Studies: transatlantic literary history and political theory. In this essay, I take as my point of departure that Douglass's Romanticism indicates his self-conception as a "man of letters" and his participation in the emergent discourse of "world literature." I show how Douglass reconceived these notions as modes of abolitionist practice. I contend that Douglass explored the generic variety of Romantic literature, and especially sought to exercise its prophetic capacity to address slavery. From the historical vantage of world literature, Douglass formulates a theory of abolition as structurally necessary to the function of liberalism. I conclude by suggesting that this premise helps contextualize the return of abolitionism in contemporary conversations about mass incarceration and police violence.