Mumbo Jumbo Summary
Ishmael Reed

Everything you need to understand or teach Mumbo Jumbo by Ishmael Reed.

Mumbo Jumbo Summary & Study Guide
1 Student Essay
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30 Mumbo Jumbo Lessons
20 Activities
180 Multiple Choice Questions
60 Short Essay Questions
20 Essay Questions
Pre-Made Tests and Quizzes
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Mumbo Jumbo Summary

At its heart, Mumbo Jumbo is a struggle between the Judeo-Christian Ethic and what Reed calls the NeoHooDoo Aesthetic. The catalyst for the struggle is a mysterious "anti-plague" called "Jes Grew," a "disease" that forces its "victims" to dance and let their inhibitions go. Since the NeoHooDoo Faction feels "laughter washes the heart," they are excited and supportive of Jes Grew, whereas the secret society attempting to subdue the...

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Study Pack

The Mumbo Jumbo Study Pack contains:

Mumbo Jumbo Short Guide

Characters

Social Concerns/Themes

Techniques/Literary Precedents

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Ishmael Reed Biographies (6)

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Ishmael Reed's importance to contemporary literary studies stems in part from his ability to channel his encyclopedic historical, political, and cultural knowledge into syncretic poetry and prose that... Read more

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Essays & Analysis (1)

Mumbo Jumbo: Jes Grew

717 words, approx. 3 pages

Jes Grew, the ragtime/jazz movement that is sweeping the nation in Ishmael Reed's Mumbo Jumbo, is not only a musical revolution, but also a spiritual reawakening for African Americans. The movement, l... Read more

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