Baldwin Basics
James Baldwin wrote this major work in 1953 as a semi-autobiographical novel
What is Go Tell It On The Mountain?
“You call on the Lord, you wait on the Lord, He’ll answer. God’s promises don’t never fail”
Who is Gabriel?
This first wife of Gabriel was raped by a group of white men and was later unable to bear children
Who is Deborah?
Go Tell It On The Mountain is a book set in this city where Harlem is located
What is NYC?
This aspect of intersectional identity is a big part James Baldwin’s life which John definitely is for Elisha
What is queer or gay (reluctantly accept homosexual)?
At the center of the book is this type religious organization that James Baldwin participated in his youth (extra points for the denomination)
What is the Pentecostal Church?
“No matter what anybody says, you remember --please remember--I was saved. I was there”
Who is John?
This man committed sucide after a racist incident with the police, not knowing his wife was pregnant
Who is Richard?
While the novel's story takes place in Harlem the Prayers of the Saints primarily take place in flashbacks in this location where Gabriel and Florence are from
What is the South?
John’s fear of this concept drives the plot, something that Gabriel is very hypocritical about
What is Sinning?
Frank dies in this country where Baldwin moved to in 1948 to escape racism in the US
What is France?
“Run on, little brother.. Don’t you get weary. God won‘t forget you. You won’t forget"
Who is Elisha?
This woman was Mother Washington granddaughter and chastised publicly for “walking disorderly” with Elisha
Who is Ella Mae?
This where John “sinned his hand” prempting the educational spiritual crisis that the book centers on
What is a school bathroom?
The book takes place over one particular day which John complains about not receive a special breakfast.
What is John’s 14th Birthday in March 1935?
Happy B-Day John!!!
James Baldwin’s mother is from this state where Elizabeth's aunt forced her to live.
What is Maryland?
“Who is you met, Gabriel all your holy life long you ain’t made to drink a cup of sorrow”
Who is Florence?
A deeply religious woman born into slavery, who later birthed both Florence and Gabriel
Who is Rachel?
John’s church is named as the temple of people baptised in this substance which can represent god’s judgement or destrutive emotions
What is Fire?
Esther’s son had this name, which he shared with the boy that Gabriel desperately wanted to bear God’s seal
Who is Royal?
This working title appears several times in the book as a reference to the suffocating household managed by Gabriel with John’s fear of oppression living in this place
What is “in my father's house"?
“She used to say, folks better not do in the dark what sure not they’s scared to look at in the light”
Who is Elizabeth?
Name either woman who talk about John being saved to Elizabeth as fellow members of the Grimeses' church
Who is Sister Price or Sister McCandless?
Before returning home John stops at this location despite worrys of church members seeing him and making him think about possibly going to hell
What is a Movie Theater?
Gabriel believes that all of these people are wicked which John doubts unwilling to unquestionably habour hatred against them
What are white people?