James Baldwin
What major movement in US history was Baldwin an important voice in?
Civil Rights Movement
After his mother dies, who does David live with?
his father and aunt, Ellen
What do we know about David?
Young, white, male, bad relationship with family, in denial about homosexuality
In what city is Chapter One primarily set (in David’s memories)?
New York
Where was Baldwin from and where did he live most of his life?
Harlem, NY; France
What does Hella decide while she is in Spain?
She decides she wants to marry David
Who is Hella and why is she referred to as "my girl"
David's fiancee
Where does Joey live?
Brooklyn, in a less nice neighborhood
Why did Baldwin move to Paris?
To escape the homophobia, racism, and violence in the United States.
What is the fight about that he describes between Ellen and his father?
The father is being a bad role model to his son in relation to drinking and women.
How did his relationship with Joey end?
He feels guilty for sleeping with a man and letting others down
What is David's home environment like?
Hostile and without parent figures
Name 2 friends of Baldwin
Maya Angelou, Malcom X, Martin Luther King
What happened with the accident?
How does David's attitude towards his father change?
Wants attention - anger - indifference
What happens in the hospital?
David decides he will keep his father in the dark on his life
What major theme appears across Baldwin’s works?
identity (race, sexuality, social)
Why does David reject Joey the morning after their affair?
He makes the choice to deny that he is gay and deny that he is attracted to men because he is scared of what that means for his future
Pressure and guilt
What does France mean to David?
Freedom