Introduction 1
Chapter One Various Forms of the Self-Hatred of African Americans represented in Morrison's Fiction 15
Ⅰ Negation of Black Physical Identity 17
Ⅱ Abandonment of Black Cultural Identity 24
Lack of Respect for the Elders—the Ancestral Figures in the Black Community 25
Suppression of Emotional Vitality 27
Undermining of Racial Solidarity 33
Class Conflict among Blacks 35
Gender Conflict among Blacks 40
Tension Between the Racial Self and the Racial Community 43
Chapter Two Tracing the Causes of the Self-Hatred of African Americans in Morrison's Fiction 50
Ⅰ Self-hatred and the Use of Force 52
Ⅱ Self-hatred and Economic Oppression 58
Ⅲ Self-hatred and Ideological Control 69
Chapter Three From Self-Hatred to Self-Regard:The Affirmation of African-American Cultural Identity in Morrison's Fiction 93
Ⅰ Respect for Ancestors 95
Ⅱ Affirmation ofSpontaneous Emotions 100
Ⅲ Collective Survival 106
Solidarity Between Different Classes of Blacks 107
Ideal Black Male-Female Relations 116
Harmony Between the Racial Self and the Racial Community 124
Ⅳ Assertion of Racial Beauty 128
Conclusion 134
Bibliography 136