Go Tell It On The Mountain Novel
James Baldwin's Go Tell It On The Mountain is an autobiographical novel that was first published in 1953. The book is set in Harlem, New York, during the 1930s, and it explores the themes of race, religion, and family. The novel is a coming-of-age story that follows the life of John Grimes, a young African-American boy, and his family.
Plot Summary
The novel is divided into four sections, each of which focuses on a different character. The first section introduces the Grimes family, who are preparing for John's 14th birthday. John's mother, Elizabeth, is a devout Christian who wants her son to become a preacher. However, John is struggling with his faith and his identity.
The second section focuses on John's father, Gabriel, who is a preacher himself. Gabriel's past sins and failures are revealed, and we learn about his troubled relationship with his son. The third section takes us back in time to Gabriel's youth, when he was a wild and reckless young man.
The final section brings us back to the present, where John has a spiritual awakening and decides to become a preacher like his father. The novel ends with John preaching his first sermon.
Themes
One of the main themes of the book is the struggle between religion and sin. Elizabeth and Gabriel both have a deep faith, but they are also flawed and have made mistakes in the past. John is torn between his desire to live a sinful life and his mother's expectations that he become a preacher.
The novel also explores the theme of identity. John is struggling to define himself as a young African-American man in a society that is hostile to his race. He is also questioning his sexuality and his faith.
Writing Style
Baldwin's writing style is poetic and lyrical. He uses metaphor and symbolism to convey deeper meanings. The novel is also notable for its use of stream-of-consciousness narration. Baldwin switches between the perspectives of different characters, giving the reader a more complete picture of the story.
Reception
Go Tell It On The Mountain was a critical success when it was first published, and it is now considered a classic of African-American literature. The novel has been praised for its honest portrayal of African-American life and its exploration of complex themes.
Conclusion
Overall, Go Tell It On The Mountain is a powerful and insightful novel that explores the themes of race, religion, and family. Baldwin's poetic writing style and use of multiple perspectives make the book a compelling read. If you haven't read it yet, it's definitely worth checking out.