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In particular, the content and the biblical rhetoric in “The Fire Next Time” tell us that Baldwin’s affinity with the church was still very much there. However, Takach believes – with some justification – that as a consequence, the critics have not fully examined the “religious dimensions” of Baldwin’s writings, including “Sonny’s Blues.” He points out that even though the young Baldwin walked away from his church, there were Christian elements integral to his works throughout his writing career, and cites a number of examples. It could also be because – Takach surmises – that in his later works and in interviews he gave, Baldwin “often attempted to distance himself from his childhood religious zeal” and even criticized what he viewed as the “religious fanaticism” of his stepfather David Baldwin. He concedes that this omission on the part of the critics could be because Baldwin is most widely cast as a writer involved in civil rights issues rather than writing on Christian topics. Also, as Takach reminds us, there exists a long tradition of writers of African American origins who have woven themes and references of a biblical nature into their works. Further, he expresses puzzlement that taking into account all of Baldwin’s associations and experiences with his church, critics have not previously made these biblical associations with his work and with this short story in particular. Takach reiterates that biblical and religious themes are indeed central to Baldwin’s best writing, including this short story. Takach further relates that Baldwin junior began preaching as a junior Minister from the age of 14, but by the age of 17 became disillusioned and left the church, turning to Dostoyevsky’s novels instead, but as Canpbell stated, “although he left the church, the church never left him” (p.110).
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The latter was described by Campbell as a “self-ordained minister” who was “religiously puritanical” (p.109).
#THE ROCKPILE JAMES BALDWIN CRITICAL READING ANSWERSG FULL#
Takach claims that James Campbell, author of Baldwin’s biography, stated that Baldwin’s knowledge of the Bible was so extensive that “he coloured his phrases with Old Testament rhetoric and poetry, with full conviction” and that he had grown up listening to church sermons in Harlem and reading his King James Bible whilst living in permanent fear of his stepfather David Baldwin. This essay seeks to determine if Takach is correct and that “Sonny’s Blues” uses those stories as the basis of Baldwin’s own fictional account.Īs Takach suggests, we should not be surprised to find that Baldwin calls upon biblical stories as the basis for his own writing, bearing in mind his religious upbringing and his intimate knowledge of the Bible indeed he once announced “I was born in the church” (p.109). 2007) there is a biblical foundation to the story, with parallels to two biblical texts: “the Cain and Abel story from the Book of Genesis and the parable of the Prodigal Son from Luke's gospel” (p. Most critics consider James Baldwin as one of America’s great writers and cite “Sonny’s Blues” as a straightforward account of two brothers, endeavouring to live a right and proper life in an era and environment rich in a climate characterized by “hatred and oppression” (Zimmerman, 2011). As a short story, this one is actually quite long, running to some 27 pages (122-148) in the version sourced from the website of the Southwest Career and Technical Academy (SWCTA). This essay discusses the short story “Sonny’s Blues” – a story of two brothers – Sonny, the principal character, and his (unnamed) brother who narrates the story.