Reading Notes | Part A | Week 13
James Baldwin
James Baldwin was an African American novelist, he was one of the great prose stylist of the twentieth century.
Baldwin was best known for his remarkable essays that, in poetic rhetoric drawing on both the classics of English Literature and the tones of biblical prophecy, combine personal reflection with a wider view of social justice. (735)
Baldwin grew up with his mother and step father.
Baldwin preached sermons as a young man.
In 1943, Baldwin moved to Greenwich Village to pursue is writing career.
Notes of a Native Son
The reading starts out with Baldwin writing about his father's death in 1943. It just so happened that his last child was born on the same day a few hours later
When Baldwin's father died he was rushed with the burden of white people. He couldn't help but think the bitterness that was involved in killing is father would in someway kill him too.
Baldwin's father soon had mental problems, he thought his family was poisoning him and did not eat. He was then admitted to a mental hospital.
Throughout this reading Baldwin talks a lot about racism in the cities that he was living in. He seemed to describe in a way where, white people don't hate black people but they have self-hatred which causes hate for others. This can go both ways. For example, when Baldwin was describing riots that black people start it is in cities where they live, not "white"areas. He is saying that hatred overall is only hurting yourself
James Baldwin was an African American novelist, he was one of the great prose stylist of the twentieth century.
Baldwin was best known for his remarkable essays that, in poetic rhetoric drawing on both the classics of English Literature and the tones of biblical prophecy, combine personal reflection with a wider view of social justice. (735)
Baldwin grew up with his mother and step father.
Baldwin preached sermons as a young man.
In 1943, Baldwin moved to Greenwich Village to pursue is writing career.
Notes of a Native Son
The reading starts out with Baldwin writing about his father's death in 1943. It just so happened that his last child was born on the same day a few hours later
When Baldwin's father died he was rushed with the burden of white people. He couldn't help but think the bitterness that was involved in killing is father would in someway kill him too.
Baldwin's father soon had mental problems, he thought his family was poisoning him and did not eat. He was then admitted to a mental hospital.
Throughout this reading Baldwin talks a lot about racism in the cities that he was living in. He seemed to describe in a way where, white people don't hate black people but they have self-hatred which causes hate for others. This can go both ways. For example, when Baldwin was describing riots that black people start it is in cities where they live, not "white"areas. He is saying that hatred overall is only hurting yourself
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