“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.” [...]
Table of Contents
1. Sweet or Sour: The Sin of Pride in Baldwin's Go tell it on the Mountain
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the multifaceted nature of pride as depicted in James Baldwin's novel "Go Tell It on the Mountain," specifically focusing on the characters Gabriel, John, and Elizabeth. It explores the intersection of pride with religious hypocrisy, self-deception, and the intergenerational transmission of sins, while questioning whether pride acts as a sinful vice or a necessary mechanism for self-defense and survival.
- The role of pride as a cardinal sin in the lives of the characters.
- Biblical symbolism and its influence on character development and moral judgment.
- The comparison between Baldwin's work and literary parallels such as Richard Wright's "Native Son."
- The moral consequences of pride, specifically regarding the "apple of the eye" symbolism.
- The distinction between arrogant, self-protective, and motherly pride.
Excerpt from the Book
The Sin of Pride in Baldwin's Go tell it on the Mountain
“Hatred of God comes from pride. It is contrary to the love of God .” 1 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.
Summary of Chapters
1. Sweet or Sour: The Sin of Pride in Baldwin's Go tell it on the Mountain: This introductory chapter outlines the central thesis regarding pride in Baldwin's novel, introduces the characters Gabriel, John, and Elizabeth, and provides the theoretical foundation for examining pride through religious and moral frameworks.
Keywords
James Baldwin, Go Tell It on the Mountain, Pride, Sin, Biblical Symbolism, Gabriel, John, Elizabeth, Richard Wright, Native Son, Hypocrisy, Redemption, Self-esteem, African American Literature, Religious Tyranny
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this academic paper?
The paper explores the multifaceted manifestations of pride within James Baldwin's novel "Go Tell It on the Mountain," analyzing how different characters experience and express this emotion.
What are the central themes discussed in the analysis?
The central themes include the nature of pride as a sin, the role of religious hypocrisy, biblical symbolism, and the lasting impact of parental choices on children.
What is the primary research question?
The author investigates whether all pride is inherently sinful or if there are instances where it functions as a justifiable mechanism for self-respect and survival.
Which methodology is applied to the literary analysis?
The author employs a literary analysis approach, utilizing theological concepts from the Catechism and the Bible, as well as comparative literary criticism by referencing the works of Richard Wright.
What aspects are covered in the main body of the paper?
The main body examines the specific proud behaviors of Gabriel, John, and Elizabeth, analyzes the symbolism of the "apple of the eye," and draws parallels between Baldwin’s characters and literary figures from other works.
How can the characters' pride be characterized by the keywords?
The characters' pride is characterized by nuances ranging from arrogant and haughty to self-protective and defensive, illustrating its complexity in the context of their environment.
How does the author interpret the symbolism of the "apple of the eye"?
The author views the "apple of the eye" as a symbol of the pride characters feel for their kin, while also noting its biblical association with the potential for moral falling and temptation.
What conclusion does the author reach regarding Gabriel and Elizabeth?
The author concludes that while pride manifests in various ways across the characters, it is ultimately Gabriel and Elizabeth who are depicted as paying a high price for their specific forms of pride.
- 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
