The Irony of the name America (“The Discovery of What It Means to Be an American”)
James Baldwin writes, “No one in the world seems to know exactly what it describes, not even we motley millions who call ourselves Americans.” Baldwin’s assertion is ironic because it specifies that Americans do not apprehend why they are referred to as ‘Americans’. It would be ironic to tell someone who regards himself/herself American that he or she does not have a handle on the connotation of the term. Nevertheless, the irony infers that there is more to being American than just residing there or being born there.
The Irony of Europe (“The Discovery of What It Means to Be an American”)
James Baldwin writes, “Like me, they (‘The American writers in Paris’), they had been divorced from their origins, and it turned out to make very little difference that the origins of white Americans were European and mine were African-they were no more at home in Europe than I was.” This quote presents an unlikely alienation. James Baldwin feels at home in Europe even though he is not a European. Comparatively, the white Americans, whose roots are in Europe, do not feel at home in Europe. Typically, the white Americans who have felt more at ease in Europe than James Baldwin. Also, James Baldwin’s course of seeking out his identity in Europe is ironic in view of the fact that he was a black man. The most idyllic place to hunt for his identity would have been Africa.
The Irony of the Bond between James Baldwin and Norman (“The Black Boy Looks at the White Boy”)
James Baldwin writes about “The Deer Park - which I still had not read - and this created a kind of bond, or strengthened the bond already existing between us.” The Deer Park is one of Norman’s works. Customarily, reading the book is what should have reinforced the bond between them. As an acquaintance, James Baldwin would have been counted on to back his friend by reading one of his works, and submitting beneficial commentary. Nevertheless, the irony of the bond reveals that James Baldwin’s fascination with Norman rises above Norman’s career as a writer.
The Irony of Norman’s Imitation (“The Black Boy Looks at the White Boy”)
Norman does not make a claim his whiteness; instead, he tries to be like inferior classes. James Baldwin asserts, “I was also baffled by the passion with which Norman appeared to be imitating so many people inferior to himself, i.e., Kerouc and all the Suzuki rhythm boys.” Norman’s ironic behavior is indispensable in figuring out the impetus of his works such as White Negro ( Which is an ironic title). Norman’s activities and inclinations are an antithesis to white supremacism as he prefers being an African American to being a white; this is something that many white people would not appreciate. Perhaps it his penchant for the black culture which makes James Baldwin be fond him impulsively.
