Essay Questions

Why does James Baldwin compare his experiences (in Europe) with the experiences of Other American writers? (“The Discovery of What It Means to Be an American”)?

The comparison involves the ubiquitous intersection between identity (American) and writing. Identity impacts the writer’s voice as James Baldwin observes that, “The story of what can happen to an American Negro writer in Europe simply illustrates, in some relief, what can happen to any American writer here.” Both James Baldwin and the other white American writers that he comes upon in Paris have the matching object of digging up their identities. The conception of identity is a step forward in the life of a writer as it nurtures the writer’s stance towards the subjects that he or she deals with in writing. Accordingly, all American writers, irrespective of whether they are white or black, face identical dilemmas in terms of identity.

What is the implication of the assertion : “My memory of that time is both blurred and sharp” (“The Black Boy Looks at the White Boy”)?

This sentence is paradoxical, since sharpness and blurriness are mutually exclusive. Even so, the paradox accentuates the materiality of James Baldwin’s first acquaintance with Norman. The encounter is a turning point as it contributes constructively to Baldwin’s identity; whereby, he hankers to welcome Norman in his life and for Norman to accommodate him in his. No doubt, Norman is an eminent figure in James Baldwin’s life.

How would a critic utilize the Queer theory to deconstruct the sentence: “Well, I wanted to go, that is , I wanted to see Norman; but I did not want to see any people.” (“The Black Boy Looks at the White Boy”)?

Here, James Baldwin recalls about day when Norman calls him “from Connecticut” inviting him to go there. In the context of the Queer theory, James Baldwin is sexually attracted to Norman, that is why he is of the opinion that the only person that he should meet in Norman. His reluctance to go to Connecticut is based on the fact that the other people, who would be there, would not allow him to have the privacy and closeness that he yearns to have with Norman; this informs his decision not to go there. In the context of the Queer Theory, the title of the short story would have been: “The Black Boy Falls in Love the White Boy.”

How would Abraham Maslow’s theory on the ‘Hierarchy of Needs’ to be used to analyze Norman’s decision to run for New York mayoral post ? (“The Black Boy Looks at the White Boy”)?

At the time that James Baldwin bumps into Norman, Norman is prosperous, so it can be deduced that he can meet the expense of physiological and safety requirements. Norman’s wife and acquaintances are a source of love and belonging. Also, the ‘Kreouac’s and the Suzuki Rhythms’ offer Norman a sense or illusion of belonging. Furthermore, the Norman is an skilfull writer who has put out books such as “The naked and The Dead, Barbary Shore, White Negro, and The Deer Park.” The publication of the books lives up to his esteem needs.

The question of Norman’s psychological motivation for eyeing the mayor position can be answered based on Norman’s question : “I want to know how power works”, which he directs to James Baldwin.Through the mayor title, Norman is expectant that he will weld vast power. Seemingly, Norman has not realized the power through publication of books and socialization with various people including James Baldwin, Adele and Jazz Musicians. In the context of Abraham Maslow’s theory, Norman yearns for Self-Actualization (power is constituent of the self-actualization).