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James BaldwinA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
John Grimes is the central figure in Go Tell it on the Mountain. The present is observed from his perspective before occasionally switching to his other family members. The events of the story take place before, during, and after his 14th birthday in March of 1935. During this time, John struggles with his sexuality and his faith before seemingly reaffirming his faith in his father’s church. He describes this reaffirmation of faith as being saved, though he still faces many of the issues which plagued him at the beginning of the story. The tumultuous period in John’s life calls into question many ideas he takes for granted. He has been raised by a deacon in a Pentecostal church so has always believed himself to be a good Christian. However, he cannot process this long-held faith with his cruel father’s abusive attitude and his own sexual yearning for Elisha, the young male leader of the Sunday school. John’s relationship with his father, his family, and his own sexuality makes him feel tortured. He has been raised to believe that sinners go to hell; his father’s cruelty makes him feel as though he is a sinner, while he worries that his sexuality will condemn his soul to Hell.
By James Baldwin
Another Country
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A Talk to Teachers
A Talk to Teachers
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Blues for Mister Charlie
Blues for Mister Charlie
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Giovanni's Room
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Going To Meet The Man
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I Am Not Your Negro
I Am Not Your Negro
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If Beale Street Could Talk
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If Black English Isn't a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is?
If Black English Isn't a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is?
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Nobody Knows My Name
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No Name in the Street
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Notes of a Native Son
Notes of a Native Son
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Sonny's Blues
Sonny's Blues
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Stranger in the Village
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The Amen Corner
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The Fire Next Time
The Fire Next Time
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The Rockpile
The Rockpile
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