On Freedom and the Will to Adorn

Focusing on the significance of the essay form in African American literature, this study highlights the influential works of writers like W. E. B. Du Bois, James Baldwin, and Alice Walker. It acknowledges their landmark essays, while also shedding light on the often-overlooked essay contributions of other notable authors such as Ralph Ellison and Zora Neale Hurston. Cheryl A. Wall presents a comprehensive exploration of the African American essay as a unique literary genre, emphasizing its impact and the richness it adds to the broader literary landscape.