This dissertation examines the
literary and sociological, (and to an extent political) connections between the slave narrative
and contemporary black prison literature. The writer shows a connection primarily between the style and content of slave
narratives and prison literature. This includes an investigation into how blacks have created their own
literary hero, (stories that are also popular with white children) through the Bre'r rabbit or trickster negro stories. It also shows the adoption of Christianity by slaves both as a religion and reaction to living in the New World, as well as the customising of Christianity. Using the prison literature, the later chapters regard the ratios of black and white prisoners and the connection between race and length of sentence. And an underlying theme both the slave narratives and the prison literature is the problem of education provided by the State for black children. Introduction I. Bearing Witness II. Numbers and Deuteronomy III. So This is Prison IV. Educating Dem Niggaz V. Looking to Allah VI. Plantation to Penitentiary Conclusion Notes Bibliography