About this episode
The episode explores the life and impact of Toni Morrison through discussions with leading scholars.
Toni Morrison is widely considered one of America’s greatest writers. She published 11 novels and is the recipient of a Pulitzer, a Nobel and a Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon, Tar Baby, Sula and Beloved are just a few of her works that are considered great American classics. Before she was a celebrated author, she was a pioneering editor at Random House, opening doors for a whole generation of Black writers, including Angela Davis, Huey P. Newton and Gayl Jones. Her editorship assembled a strong network of the most prominent Black intellectuals of the 20th century. But Toni Morrison’s road to success was not a straight shot. She only published her first novel around 40 years old. And when she found her footing, she changed the face of American literature. On the Making season finale, host Brandon Pope sits down with leading Toni Morrison scholars, including Dana Williams, Carolyn Denard, Autumn Womack and Courtney Thorsson, to unpack the trajectory of an American literary hero. Making tells the story of a different, iconic figure every episode. Subscribe now.
People in this episode
Guests: Dana Williams, Carolyn Denard, Autumn Womack, Courtney Thorsson
Topics covered
- literature
- American authors
- Black writers
- editing
- cultural impact
Keywords
- Toni Morrison
- Pulitzer Prize
- Nobel Prize
- The Bluest Eye
- Beloved
- editor at Random House
- Black intellectuals
- American literature
- literary hero
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Pulitzer, Nobel, a Presidential Medal of Freedom, The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon, Tar Baby, Beloved, Making
Places: America
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