In 'The Source of Self-Regard,' Toni Morrison weaves a powerful tapestry of essays that delve into the intricate fabric of identity, race, and humanity. Through profound reflections, she confronts the hollowness of societal perceptions and the resilience of the human spirit. Morrison's lyrical prose invites readers to explore the depths of self-awareness and the importance of self-respect. With sharp insights and heartfelt narratives, she challenges us to reconsider our own views on power and dignity. This compelling collection is not just a mirror to society, but a call to engage deeply with our own conscience.
By Toni Morrison
Published: 2020
""The function of freedom is to free someone else.""
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Here is the Nobel Prize winner in her own words: a rich gathering of her most important essays and speeches, spanning four decades that "speaks to today’s social and political moment as directly as this morning’s headlines” (NPR). These pages give us her searing prayer for the dead of 9/11, her Nobel lecture on the power of language, her searching meditation on Martin Luther King Jr., her heart-wrenching eulogy for James Baldwin. She looks deeply into the fault lines of culture and freedom: the foreigner, female empowerment, the press, money, “black matter(s),” human rights, the artist in society, the Afro-American presence in American literature. And she turns her incisive critical eye to her own work (The Bluest Eye, Sula, Tar Baby, Jazz, Beloved, Paradise) and that of others. An essential collection from an essential writer, The Source of Self-Regard shines with the literary elegance, intellectual prowess, spiritual depth, and moral compass that have made Toni Morrison our most cherished and enduring voice.
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“"The function of freedom is to free someone else."”
The Source of Self-Regard
By Toni Morrison
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Toni Morrison (1931-2019) was a celebrated American novelist, editor, and professor, renowned for her profound impact on literature and the exploration of African American experiences. Her notable works include 'Beloved,' 'Song of Solomon,' and 'The Bluest Eye,' each distinguished by a rich narrative style that blends lyrical prose with deep emotional resonance. Morrison's writing is characterized by intricate character development, vivid imagery, and a distinctive use of language that often incorporates elements of oral storytelling. In 1993, she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, making her the first African American woman to receive this honor, reflecting her significant contributions to contemporary literature.
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