Short Story "The Slumbering Giant"

Short Story "The Slumbering Giant"

This short story follows an unnamed American narrator and his peers traveling to Africa for writing inspiration. It points out and pokes fun at the tendency of European and American authors to use contrasting epithets to describe the continent, such as "'unspoiled paradise' and 'disease-laden,'" but the main butt of the story's jokes is the popularity of Western authors and directors exploiting Africa and its people. The narrator even goes so far as to say he will write "the Great African Novel." While the story is self-aware and meant to point out this exploitation, it also describes the people of Africa as "savages." The story is accompanied by an illustration of five stereotypically-dressed African men around one white European man.

Allen, B.B. and Fred Sale. "The Sleeping Giant." The Messenger (1960): 6-11. University Archives, RG 24 Student Publications. Virginia Baptist Historical Society, Richmond, Virginia.

The Messenger, University of Richmond

1960

English

Messenger1960.6-1960.pdf

Richmond (Va.)