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Paule MarshallAmerican writer, journalist and lecturer
Country:
 USA |
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Biography of Paule Marshall
Paule Marshall (born 1929) is an American writer, journalist and lecturer. She was born as Paule Burke to Barbadian immigrant parents in Los Angeles. Despite growing up in California, Marshall's work is heavily influenced by her ancestral culture. Even before consciously studying African American culture, she was surrounded by unique smells, objects, and sounds that reflected her West Indian heritage. It was this heritage that shaped her into a writer.
Early Life and Career
As a child, Paule Marshall was an avid reader, growing up on the works of Charles Dickens, William Thackeray, and Henry Fielding. However, her perspective on literature changed when she discovered the books of African American poet Paul Laurence Dunbar. These books introduced her to a new type of literature, unlike anything she had seen before, and inspired her to try her hand at writing.
Despite having a college degree, life wasn't easy for Marshall. After graduating from Brooklyn College in 1953, she worked various jobs to make ends meet. It was challenging for a woman, especially an African American woman, to find employment at that time. However, Marshall managed to become an exception. She initially worked at the New York Public Library, assisting with research, and later became a full-fledged journalist for the influential African American magazine "Our World". Her assignments took her to the Caribbean and South America, and her experiences from these travels formed the basis of her collection of stories.
Writing Career
In 1957, Marshall left "Our World" and got married. In 1958, she had her first and only child, Evan Kit. However, Marshall was deeply dissatisfied with the societal role imposed on her and all women of that time. Being just a wife and mother wasn't enough for her. She hired a nanny for her child and rented a small apartment, dedicating her time to writing her first novel.
In 1959, her book "Brown Girl, Brownstones" was published. It was quite unusual for an African American woman to venture into writing during that time. The reception from critics was warm, but the sales were low. Marshall released her next work, a collection of stories titled "Soul Clap Hands and Sing" in 1961. These four stories explored uncharted territories of African American culture and its connection to the broader world.
Due to Marshall's meticulousness and the need to devote time to her family and teaching, her next novel was published only eight years later in 1969. Shortly after that, her marriage ended. In 1983, Marshall published her third novel, "Praisesong for the Widow," and her second collection of stories, "Reena and Other Stories". The themes of her work continued to revolve around African culture and self-discovery. In 1991, she released another book on the same theme, "Marshall's Daughters".
Legacy and Recognition
Paule Marshall is considered one of the most prominent and influential figures among African American writers. Her works were the first to address important topics such as intergenerational competition, sexual harassment, and the spread of nuclear weapons. In 1992, she was awarded the prestigious MacArthur Prize Fellowship in recognition of her accomplishments. Marshall's literary career is ongoing, and she continues to inspire with her writing.
