“Hatred of God comes from pride. It is contrary to the love of God .” I chose
this particular assertion of the Catholic Church because it serves adequately as an introduction to my following argument. If this statement holds true, what can one make of Gabriel’s attitude in James Baldwin’s novel Go tell it on the Mountain? Gabriel – although he himself believes he has a clean conscience before God – has sinned. His sin is pride, which is one of the
seven cardinal sins. In his own opinion, Gabriel has become clean before God, he has been forgiven for his sins (215). He goes even further when he says that he considers himself to be the Lord’s anointed. How can he be so sure?
In my paper I will try to mainly discuss Gabriel’s, John’s, and Elizabeth’s proud emotions. I will show what it is they are proud of and what they have and do not have in common. Furthermore, I will cover some of the biblical symbolism in Baldwin’s novel and question whether all pride is necessarily sinful or if there are reasonable justifications. In any respect, Gabriel is very judgmental. He judges people around him, for instance his sister Florence when he says, ”…she so proud the Lord going to bring her low one day…” or Esther, for whom he eventually loses all respect (125). Furthermore,
he chooses to go the easy way when he has helpful explanations handy in any situation. When his son Roy gets stabbed by white people, it – of course – is the white people’s fault: ”This is what white folks does to niggers…” Roy’s behavior is explained by the fact that he has to suffer for the sins his mother has committed in the past (111). When Gabriel has an affair with Esther - according to Gabriel - he cannot be blamed for committing adultery. After all, Gabriel assumed that Satan tempted him to fall (130). By saying that, Gabriel gives away all responsibility for his own actions. In his own
accord, he is merely a “poor, weak vessel in the hands of the Lord.” [...]
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Gabriel's Pride
- Pride as a Sin
- Pride in Modern Society
- Gabriel's Relationship with his Sons
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the theme of pride in James Baldwin's Go Tell It on the Mountain, focusing on the character of Gabriel and his complex relationship with his faith, family, and society. The analysis explores the biblical and societal understandings of pride, contrasting them with modern interpretations of self-esteem. The paper aims to demonstrate how Gabriel's pride, though outwardly manifested as religious zeal, ultimately leads to personal conflict and tragedy.
- The nature of pride as a sin in religious and societal contexts
- Gabriel's complex character and his conflicting emotions
- The role of biblical symbolism in portraying Gabriel's pride
- The consequences of Gabriel's pride on his relationships
- The contrast between outward piety and inward hypocrisy
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This introductory section lays out the central argument: that Gabriel's actions in Go Tell It on the Mountain stem from pride, a cardinal sin. The paper will analyze Gabriel's pride, contrasting it with the pride of other characters like John and Elizabeth, and exploring biblical symbolism to understand the different facets of pride.
Gabriel's Pride: This section delves into Gabriel's judgmental nature, highlighting instances where he blames external factors (white people, Satan) for his own failings. His self-proclaimed righteousness and his tendency to judge others while excusing his own flaws are meticulously examined. The author argues that Gabriel's faith, far from mitigating his pride, actually exacerbates it, creating a self-serving narrative that justifies his actions. Examples include his affair with Esther and his harsh treatment of his stepson, both of which are rationalized within his religious framework.
Pride as a Sin: This section explores the concept of pride as a sin in both biblical and classical contexts, referencing Icarus's myth and relevant biblical verses. It differentiates pride from other sins, highlighting its often-unseen nature and difficulty in self-recognition. The chapter also explores the evolution of the concept of pride, contrasting its traditional negative connotations with modern societal emphasis on self-esteem, questioning where the line between acceptable and sinful pride lies.
Pride in Modern Society: This section contrasts the traditional understanding of pride as a sin with modern societal values that promote self-esteem. The author examines the complexities of defining "healthy" pride versus sinful pride and how this ambiguity plays into Gabriel's character. The discussion connects to the previous sections by showing how Gabriel's actions, while possibly justifiable within a certain context, ultimately represent an excess of pride.
Gabriel's Relationship with his Sons: This section focuses on Gabriel's relationship with his sons, Roy and the deceased Royal. It analyzes the contradictions in Gabriel's behavior, showcasing his conflicting emotions and actions toward them. His pride, as presented, is demonstrated through his refusal to acknowledge Royal, a decision that ultimately leads to tragedy. The analysis links this to his overall hypocritical and self-serving nature, suggesting that his actions stem from a deep-seated inability to confront his own shortcomings.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Pride, sin, James Baldwin, Go Tell It on the Mountain, Gabriel, religious hypocrisy, biblical symbolism, self-esteem, societal values, family relationships, racial prejudice.
Frequently Asked Questions: James Baldwin's Go Tell It on the Mountain - A Study of Pride
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes the theme of pride in James Baldwin's Go Tell It on the Mountain, specifically focusing on the character of Gabriel and how his pride impacts his faith, family, and relationships. It examines the biblical and societal understandings of pride, contrasting them with modern interpretations of self-esteem.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the nature of pride as a sin, Gabriel's complex character and conflicting emotions, the role of biblical symbolism in portraying Gabriel's pride, the consequences of Gabriel's pride on his relationships, and the contrast between outward piety and inward hypocrisy. The paper also explores the evolution of the concept of pride from a religious sin to a modern concept of self-esteem.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into five main sections: an introduction outlining the central argument; a section dedicated to analyzing Gabriel's pride; a section exploring pride as a sin in religious and societal contexts; a section contrasting traditional and modern understandings of pride; and a final section focusing on Gabriel's relationships with his sons. The paper also includes a table of contents and a list of keywords.
How does the paper analyze Gabriel's pride?
The paper examines Gabriel's pride through his actions and motivations. It highlights instances where he blames external factors for his own failings, his self-proclaimed righteousness, and his tendency to judge others while excusing his own flaws. The paper argues that Gabriel's faith, rather than mitigating his pride, actually exacerbates it.
What is the significance of biblical symbolism in the analysis?
The paper uses biblical symbolism to understand the different facets of Gabriel's pride. It references relevant biblical verses and explores how Gabriel's interpretation and use of religious texts contribute to his self-serving narrative and justification of his actions.
How does the paper relate pride to modern concepts of self-esteem?
The paper contrasts the traditional understanding of pride as a cardinal sin with modern societal values that promote self-esteem. It examines the complexities of defining "healthy" pride versus sinful pride and how this ambiguity plays into Gabriel's character and actions.
How does Gabriel's pride affect his relationships with his sons?
The paper analyzes Gabriel's complex and often contradictory relationships with his sons, Roy and the deceased Royal. It shows how his pride manifests in his refusal to acknowledge his shortcomings and the tragic consequences of his actions towards them.
What are the main conclusions of the paper?
The paper concludes that Gabriel's actions stem from a deep-seated pride, manifesting as religious hypocrisy and self-serving behavior. His inability to confront his own shortcomings leads to personal conflict and tragedy, highlighting the destructive nature of unchecked pride.
What are the key words associated with this paper?
Key words include: Pride, sin, James Baldwin, Go Tell It on the Mountain, Gabriel, religious hypocrisy, biblical symbolism, self-esteem, societal values, family relationships, racial prejudice.
- Quote paper
- M.A. Frauke Scheben (Author), 2003, Sweet or Sour: The Sin of Pride in Baldwin's "Go tell it on the Mountain", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/55773
