Giovanni Must Die James Baldwin Analysis

This literary analysis will analyze James Baldwin’s intention of locating the “outsider” in the context of homosexuality and African American expatriation in the novel Giovanni’s Room. The article by Abur-Rahman (2007) defines Baldwin’s intention of locating a place for the “outsider” through the context of homosexuality and African American expatriation in European life. Baldwin’s own experiences as an American exile in France are defined through his own identity as a homosexual male, but also, as a racial minority seeking a place of sanctuary outside of American culture. Abur-Rahman (2007) defines Baldwin’s intention of depicting the white characters in the novel as a counterpoint to the alienation of homosexuals, as well as the increased burden of racial identity he had to carry in life. Giovanni’s Room

In Giovanni’s room, James Baldwin uses a lot of literary devices such as foreshadowing, flashbacks, making this book an important book to teach to high schoolers. For example, he also used imagery when describing his situation with Joey. His change in tone showed how quickly he realized that what he was doing was wrong, and he wanted to fix it. His emotion changed from affection towards Joey into shame. Flashbacks are constantly used in this book, making it a bit confusing as well. Flashbacks are used when the readers know early on in the book that Giovanni was executed for an action did committed; however, it is not until later that we find out what exactly it was.

James Baldwin’s, Giovanni’s Room, tells the story of an American man, David, in Paris, and his relationship with a man, Giovanni. There are large overarching themes of repression and isolation throughout the novel which lend a hand to, David’s, own repression of self. It is immediately obvious to the reader what David is repressing; he cannot admit that he is gay. Baldwin uses imagery of water throughout the novel (a glass of water even being used on some covers) to represent David’s relationship with Giovanni. Baldwin further pushes this representation, and the failed relationship of Giovanni and David (because of David’s inability to accept the truth of himself) to highlight the importance of acceptance.

In the novel Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin, the protagonist David’s obsession with maintaining a traditionally masculine façade is what leads to the demise of all of his relationships. David’s masculine presentation and insecurity over his own homosexuality are frowned upon by Western society in the 1950s, the novel’s setting. This general societal consensus leads to David’s internalization of homophobia, eventually leading to the ruin of his relationships with family, friends, lovers, and himself. Western society’s view of homosexuality and masculinity at that time is the primary reason for the expiry of David’s relationships.

Giovanni’s Room Love is a funny thing, it doesn’t always turn out the way we want it too and we can’t choose who we love. The main theme of James Baldwin’s story “Giovanni’s Room” is that love is difficult, scary, and not always what you expect. Although many people thrive on the love they feel for someone, David finds it to be a terrifying and confusing thing. In “Giovanni’s Room” David is reflecting on how he found love when he less expected it and was afraid, saddened, and even a little ashamed by it.

His inclusion of I gives the reader the sense that he is telling a story from his own perspective, as he was there. This personal connection gives the essay an extremely close-knit feeling, like the story told by friends around a campfire. Even though the topic of writing the essay man not be quite so friendly, Baldwin’s writing style brings the reader in close and makes it approachable, which adds to the importance of the message he is trying to

Throughout this essay James Baldwin uses characterization to show his father’s

So this makes his real- life experience connect so closely to the story he had written. He experienced loss in real life along with in his story. In the story, the narrator had also lost his daughter to polo, although he didn’t exactly explain his feelings, he showed that it did affect him. Which makes me think that maybe Baldwin was the type of person to hide his feelings and act tough even though things affected him. He tried not to dwell on things, but realize that he can feel

The way in which Baldwin describes his first encounter with what would become his church home is important to the narrative that follows and shows a remorseful recollection of the events. Baldwin describes the event as becoming involved in “the church racket” as he “surrendered to a spiritual seduction” (5). As Baldwin was young at the time, his decision to use the word “seduction” showcases a predator- prey relationship that was used to lure him into the church. It also alludes to the pimp/prostitute relationship that he mentions became a way of life for some of the people he grew up with. This was a clear and direct choice that Baldwin made to connect the church and the streets and show that their lifestyles were ultimately not very different from one

David Baldwin was a strict disciplinarian. James would later describe his relationship with David Baldwin when in his essay “Notes of a Native Son” he wrote, “I had not known my father very well. We had got on badly, partly because we shared, in our different fashions, the vice of stubborn pride.” (Baldwin, 2012/1955, p.737).

In Giovanni’s poem Choices, she expresses the choices that are to be made in everyones lives. The poem Choices was published shortly after her father’s death. In the period, Giovanni began to have an epiphany with her own life and choices. She discovered how one must sustain an optimistic attitude. Also, she extended on the idea that accepting one’s current situation will take one to greater lengths.

This poem expresses what the author expects to have but not achieving it (Applebee 420). In Giovanni's works she rages over family love, loneliness, and frustration (PoetryFoundation 1). As demonstrated in “Choices” she is frustrated as she can not achieve what she wants in result she goes along with what society wants her to do. According to the ¨Author Study Nikki Giovanni¨ it states ¨Unfortunately, Giovanni´s independent spirit got her into trouble with the university authorities almost immediately¨ (Applebee 405). This displays the need for independence as is seen in ¨Choices¨. Needless to say “Choices” authenticates the connection with Giovanni's life and

As demonstrated within Deadwood Dick the Prince of the Road by Edward L. Wheeler, the critique of the manhood is presented with Calamity Jane, who exerts her femininity in the form of a rugged masculine persona. Jane, whose reputation for dressing like a man and being able to shoot like a cowboy, often makes her audience question her sexuality, but not in terms of merely preference, but as a role within the Western society. Ultimately, in Wheeler’s novel, Deadwood remains unmarried and without an inherited fortune--automatically denouncing his success

“Choices” Nikki Giovanni is a strong woman who expresses her emotions through the words she write. With every stanza or line that she wrote there was a significant meaning behind it. Giovanni used her words as a window to speak and inspire. This poem entitled “Choices” by Nikki Giovanni was written after her father’s death. Giovanni was very distraught by the sudden death of her father.

This shows the change David has made with his views and choices. In the beginning of the book, David wished for extra arms as a harmless joke only to realize that making that joke costed him and got beat by his father. David then kept quiet as he didn’t want to express his own feelings due to trauma he has suffered. By the end of the book, David runs away with his friends in protest to his father’s rules and to express who he truly is. From the beginning of the book to the end, David has shown examples of him changing who he is as a person for the better.