...AP Language: The Language of Composition Sample Responses to Questions on A Talk to Teachers by James Baldwin 1. In the opening paragraph, Baldwin establishes his ethos by connecting himself to his audience as a fellow citizen and fellow American, someone who loves his country and wants it to be whole and healthy. Though he identifies the chief fear of his audience as the fear of Communist, he proposes that the ore fearful aspect of American society of the early 1960s is the “bad faith and cruelty” of generations. Baldwin builds credibility with his audience by recognizing teachers as powerful people who “deal with the minds and hearts of young people.” His audience senses that he as a deep respect for what teachers do each day. He makes a crucial connection between teachers and the future of American society. In paragraph 2, Baldwin speaks deferentially to teachers and in a respectful tone directs his discussion toward the purpose of education, further establishing a rapport with his audience. His use of historical example and analogy to his audience that his is educated and thoughtful. Finally, as Baldwin reveals the paradox inherent in education – the process of education, whose purpose is to provide a way for individuals to establish an identity and think for themselves, is designed to teach obedience to the dictates of society – he further exhibits his depth of understanding for the role of teachers. He identifies strongly with teachers, as he know they believe...
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...During the James Baldwin Debate (1965) notions were centered around White Americans."Is the American Dream at the expense of the American Negro?" Baldwin doesn't want African Americans to be perceived as mere objects that are useful for labor. He want them to gain the recognition they deserve. Although the past has hindered and perpetuated the "Negros" strive towards the American dream, Baldwin believed that there is a glimpse of hope towards the fulfillment of the American Dream. The demoralization and gap between one another based on the color of their skins corrupts the country. In relation to identity, the County that you live in (America) "You owe your identity and life to." Baldwin wanted the Whites to acknowledge the efforts of the African...
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...Time by James Baldwin The Novel at a Glance SUMMARY The book opens with the essay “My Dungeon Shook,” written as a letter to Baldwin’s nephew on the one hundredth anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863. Baldwin says that the celebration is a hundred years too early, because black people in America are still not free. He exhorts his nephew to approach life with love, even though he lives in a racist world. In the second essay, “Down at the Cross: Letter from a Region in My Mind,” Baldwin describes his visit to the leader of the Nation of Islam, Elijah Muhammad. Baldwin concludes that he does not agree with the Nation of Islam’s bitter beliefs about white people. In closing, Baldwin says that if Americans stop thinking of the United States as a white nation, it can transform the world. MORE ABOUT THE WRITER When James Baldwin was sixteen, he began one of the most important friendships of his life. As a confused and self-doubting teenager, he needed a mentor, and he found one in Beauford Delaney, a painter who lived in Greenwich Village in New York City. A black man and an artist, Delaney provided Baldwin with a model of how to respond to experience and transform it into works of art. Virtually taking the place of a father, Delaney introduced his young protégé not only to music and art, but also to a wide circle of friends, and Baldwin began to recognize new possibilities for himself. Through Beauford Delaney and his scratchy phonograph recordings, Baldwin became interested...
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...Didin Hasanbelliu Prof. Baker Wilson English 2 01 12 March 2015 Society’s Influence Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin is a perfect example of how society affects people’s decisions. The story is mainly about David a white American who moves to Paris, France, in search of his identity. In Paris he meets Hella, a white American woman which he becomes engaged with later in the story. At the beginning of their relationship, the two face some problems in which Hella is not sure if she wants to merry David or not, so she decides to go to Spain for a while to gather her thoughts and make a decision. During this time, David gets into an affair with Giovanni an Italian bartender that he meets in a bar in Paris. The decisions of these three characters are being affected by society they live in continuously in the story. In the novel the main character, David, is being affected greatly by the society he lives in. That is the reason he decided to move to Paris in search of his own identity. David is in constant denial over his homosexuality and refuses to embrace it due to the way of thinking of the American society that he grew up in those years. These ideas prevented David from expressing himself and made him try to be someone who he is not. He’s first homosexual encounter is the first evidence in the novel of how he was affected by this ideas of this society. We see this at the beginning of the book when he has sex with his friend Joey when he was a teen, as he describes it...
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...Introduction This annotated bibliography is designed to give readers an understanding of how Sonny’s Blues by James Baldwin is a modernization of the biblical account of Cain and Able. While the text of Sonny’s Blues does not align with the story of Cain and Able verbatim, the underlying theme of being a “brother’s keeper” is central to both stories. I set out to identify the various elements involved in being a “brother’s keeper”. After reading the biblical account of Cain and Able, two sub-themes came to the forefront self-identity and responsibility. I selected the sources listed below to highlight the ways Baldwin uses the themes of identity and responsibility, and other literary mechanisms to connect Sonny’s Blues to the biblical account of Cain and Able. Byerman, Keith A. "Words And Music: Narrative Ambiguity In 'Sonny's Blues'." Studies In Short Fiction 19.4 (1982): 367. Academic Search Complete. Web. 25 Feb. 2013. Byerman discusses how music and words create ambiguity in Sonny’s Blues. He points out the rhythm of the wording in the text and how the narrator uses the words to communicate his ideas and as a defense mechanism when his reality is too harsh to handle. The narrator’s candid wording at times draws the reader in with understanding and intrigue. Yet, his vacillating uses of metaphors seem to shut the reader out when the details become too sensitive. Just as the narrator uses words to present his case to the reader, Sonny uses music...
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...is a central theme governing the interactions of the characters pertaining to the novel, Giovanni’s Room. David’s words are a source of wisdom for why loneliness so frequently follows the actualization of love. He says, “With this fearful intimation there opened in me a hatred for Giovanni which was as powerful as my love and which was nourished by the same roots” (p 84). Baldwin perhaps is trying to hint at the thin line separating what we perceive as love from that which we perceive as hate. Similarly, we can identify these components within the pages of Baldwin’s novel. In David, we find a most emphatically unpleasant and disagreeable protagonist; he is often seen as unsympathetic, and almost cruel. Yet, depictions such as, “I felt sorrow and shame and panic and great bitterness” paint a picture of an individual to whom, we must all admit to being able to relate. This stylistic quality, noted by its use of subtlety and skill of realistic depiction of certain elements of personality that are irrefutably universal, and consequently human, betrays a prose that is characteristically, and uniquely, Baldwin. Such being the case, we find in David, a protagonist who is simultaneously intriguing and reprehensible; the consequence of which is an engaging narrative of self-discovery. This curious dichotomy of emotions that David’s character evokes within the reader may be telling of a deeper correlation; a contention best supported by conclusions drawn from the analysis of a...
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...On April 4, 1928, St. Louis, Missouri in the United States Vivian Johnson and Bailey Johnson welcomed their daughter Maya Angelou. The world was in for a change that day. Marguerite Annie Johnson was her real name. It wasn’t till Maya Angelou's early twenties when she received her name that we would all know today. Maya Angelou was a master of all trades, Maya went on to become an acclaimed American Poet, autobiographer, storyteller, and activist. Maya Angelou was best known as a poet and an award-winning author. In 1931 Maya Angelou and her brother has been sent to live with their grandmother in Stamps in Arkansas. At this time Stamps was a racially divided and Maya had now experienced what being a black girl in this racist society. As one could imagine her grandmother did her best to instill values and morals among their home. When Maya Angelou was eight years old she was living with her mother in Saint Louis. Tragically Maya was raped which then lead Maya to become mute for close to five years. Maya Angelou was sent back to Stampa because no one could handle the state that Maya was in. While living back in Stamps Maya life was going to change for the better. Mrs. Flowers was a woman that rescued Maya from who she thought she was. Maya confidence was regained and she was once more thriving. Maya at this time lived behind the back of the Johnson Grocery store with her brother and Uncle Willie. At this time Johnson Grocery Store would sell to both whites and blacks. In the home...
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...A fascinating and powerful narrative, “Recitatif” by Toni Morrison, tells the story of two girls, Twyla and Roberta, who share quite a complicated relationship. From the time they meet at St. Bonaventure, an orphanage, at the tender age of eight to when they become adults and start leading lives of their own, they are plagued by their racial, social, and economical differences. One of the most interesting aspects of the short story is the symbolism of Maggie, a disabled woman who works at the orphanage, and the tremendous impact she has on Twyla and Roberta. Numerous critics have analyzed the portrayal of Maggie in the story, and have come to some varied conclusions. In my opinion, as Twyla and Roberta are reunited with one another through the course of their lives, they slowly begin to see and accept that Maggie is a reflection of their mothers, and – to a larger extent – also themselves. The issues explored in “Recitatif” resonate with many readers on many different levels and, in effect, much has been written and discussed about it. This is largely due to the fact that Morrison has left a lot open to the reader for interpretation. “Revised Memories and Colliding Identities: Absence and Presence in Morrison’s ‘Recitatif’ and Viramontes’s ‘Tears on My Pillow’” by Helane Adams Androne is a very focused critical piece that argues that both central characters have suffer from strained relationships. "Transfiguring Aesthetics: Conflation, Identity Denial, and Transference in “Passing...
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...25, 2016 Autobiographical of James Baldwin The depleting endlessly of James Baldwin's enchantment was a dramatization quite examined in the years paving the way to his passing in 1987 at the age of sixty-three. There had been the primary demonstration of waif in Harlem, artistic drifter in Paris, and avenging blessed messenger of the Freedom Summer, when his lifted up voice caught the strain of a country went up against by what resembled a decision amongst respecting and selling out its goals of social equity. The articles, books, and short stories had accompanied all the power of reason and splendor of dialect any youthful author could seek after. At that point...
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...Reaction Paper-Week IV Beverly L. Clanton University of Phoenix Eng/125 Molly Holmes 06/26//09 Reaction Paper-Week IV The nonfiction stories I read for this assignment were “Salvation, by Langston Hughes and Graduation, by Maya Angelou.” In the story “Salvation,” a young sinner, Langston Hughes, is brought to church by his aunt to “find Jesus." Even though Langston felt no connection to Jesus, he felt obligated to pretend, due to his love for his aunt. In our lives, many of our decisions are influenced by the ones close to us because of the love we have for them. We do not want to disappoint our love ones; therefore, occasionally one may defer goals and aspirations in fear of not receiving approval. When Langston Hughes says “So I decided that maybe to save further trouble, I‘d rather lie too, and say that Jesus had come, and get up and be saved.” Having said this, young Langston has apparently overlooked his personal belief to receive an approval of salvation by the congregation. After reading this story, I realized that everyday individuals are faced with hundreds of decisions and choices. Sometimes our consciences conflict with one another and it is hard to make the most beneficial decision. This happens so often that most of the time it will go past unnoticed. Peer pressure is one of the most common of these "bad consciences." Teenagers are the most vulnerable to peer pressure because of their desire to receive approval from their friends. Even in my own...
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...“Still I Rise” Maya Angelou I could tell right away from the poem’s description, imagery, and repetition that she was directing her thoughts towards someone who was trying to hurt her. “Still I Rise” and “I rise” were her saying over and over you can keep trying to put me down but I’m going to keep getting up. She portrays a strong woman with supreme attitude and stresses that the person didn’t like her how she was. She identifies that she has a strong attitude with words like “sassiness”, “haughtiness” and “sexiness”. Her self-described attitude can be compared to today’s reference of a “Diva”. I am interested in her strength in an era where the woman’s movement was just beginning. She was so far ahead of her time and willing to talk about it. I can tell in her words that she has been brought down in the past by this person. She describes being shot down by their words, being glared at and having hate directed at her. She keeps telling the other person that I will not let you bring me down and every time you do, I will get stronger and stronger. She references that she creates waves like the moon and the sun, that she is challenging and the other person doesn’t like it. She felt the other person was trying to break her down and be dominating but she was a strong woman and would not let that happen. In the end, she says she is leaving all her negatives in the past and focusing on the future. She is a wanted person and she has pride. Maya Angelou was an author...
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...The principle point of James Baldwin article is essentially worried about dialect. The creator asserts that the dialect somebody talks uncovers and reflects who he or she is. He guarantees that dialect is a discriminating key to character. When you open your mouth, you may be admitting your folks, your childhood, your school, your self-regard, and you're future. Despite the fact that there are basic dialects inside of specific spots, individuals can talk an "unobtrusively and distinctive dialect" than other people who are from somewhere else. Baldwin represents this through a case in light of his perceptions of individuals who talk the French dialect; "A Frenchman living in Paris talks a quietly and critically diverse dialect from that of a...
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..."Sony's Blues" which is an famous short story by James Baldwin, describes many conflicts in relationships and obstacles African American lives in the 1950s. At this time, there was discrimination in the society of The United States. The story is narrated by the brother of Sonny. In the end of story, the narrator comes to Sonny's show of jazz following his young brother, Sonny's invitation. This event is held at a small nightclub in Greenwich Village. Sonny's brother is there and harmonies himself with jazz music. He carefully observes any changes of Sonny at his first performane at nightclub. The author sets up the nightclub in the end of story effectively. This setting is spotlight and important for turning point of the brotherhood between narrator and his younger brother, Sony. After many arguments on different styles of living, Sonny opens his heart by inviting his...
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...Baldwin’s trials and tribulations with love were much more varied and less committed. He admits to being in a somewhat intimate relationship with an older man from Harlem that he loved but in a “boy way,” most likely a reflection of the innocence of the affair. For Baldwin, being a black gay man often came with its own large string of burdens and conflicts. Baldwin in fact described how he could walk down the street and be incessantly harassed by men and called gay slurs but these same people in private would be attempting to sway Baldwin to follow them back to bed (Baldwin 684). Baldwin expressed discontent at this strange dichotomy by stating that he had “no fantasies about making love to the last cop or hoodlum that had beaten the shit out...
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...When one thinks of education, it is common to view it as an opportunity to expand the mind and that education is used to facilitate learning new skills,values and thoughts.However, education in America is not as effectual as it should be for everyone, due to institutional racism deeply embedded within the system. As displayed in both Sherman Alexie’s “Superman & Me” and James Baldwin’s “A Talk To Teachers”, children of minority are not given the same opportunities as white children and it is almost predetermined that black or indian children cannot be successful in school. While both essays argued the same general point about education, the way each point was presented contained differed tones and styles, setting the two pieces apart. In Sherman Alexie’s “Superman & Me”, Alexie begins his story by introducing how he learned to read, by using a Superman comic. This is important because it stresses the fact that Alexie did not have the same extensive resources that privileged white children do. Alexie read whatever he could find to educate himself, because he was aware that the only key to success is through obtaining an education. Alexie’s sharing of personal experience creates a connection with the audience. When Alexie speaks about how he learned to read from a comic book, this is almost a depressing statement. However, the audience knows that Alexie was able to overcome this depressing situation to become successful, even though he was never given proper educational resources...
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