How Does Baldwin Use Self-Hatred In Going To Meet The Man

1802 Words4 Pages

James Baldwin
In Going to Meet the Man, James Baldwin introduces African-American experiences in different situations and describes the inner feelings of characters as they face hardships. One of the most common emotions portrayed throughout the individual stories was self-hatred. In “Come Out of the Wilderness” this emotion was shown through Ruth, a young black woman living in New York with her Caucasian boyfriend Paul. Throughout the short story, Ruth battles an internal struggle with fear that Paul will leave her, but not only was she mistrusting of Paul, Ruth had issues with all of the men in her life. These issues go back to her childhood and resulted from her brother shaming her for being caught with a boy alone (197-209). This situation …show more content…

After being exposed sexually for something she did not do, Ruth felt used and ashamed which ultimately lead to many issues in her relationship with Paul. Due to being sexual experienced, Ruth feared that Paul would leave her for someone more innocent. Ruth links innocence to race that results in her feeling self-hatred, such as when referring to the white women working in the life insurance office. While observing the women, she exclaimed that their “[innocence]… made her ashamed of her body”, and repeatedly refers to herself throughout the book as “black and dirty” (204-215). Due to her traumatic experience with her brother, sexuality makes her feel negatively and emphasizes her self-hatred. This self-hatred makes her continually question her relationship with Paul and her worth as a young black African-American. The short story comes to a close with Ruth at a bar pondering her relationship with Paul, who had vanished, and leaving the bar in tears not knowing where she was going (223-225). Ruth’s self-hatred causes her to question who she is, making her feel lost in a world that makes …show more content…

Throughout Washington Square, Catherine did her best to follow her father’s wishes and be respectful even when she did not agree with his opinions, at one point Catherine even discussed moving out of her father’s house because if she were to live under his roof, she should follow his rules (124). This type of respectful behavior was not uncommon in the nineteenth century, which explains why the revenge she got on her father was extremely subtle. Although it maddening to Dr. Sloper to not know the details of the ending of her relationship, it was ultimately Catherine’s business on whether she told what happened, making the revenge not a substantial vengeance. However, revenge in the twentieth century is not near as subtle and does not keep parental respect in mind like Catherine did. In the twentieth century women became more independent and began to put their feelings first, which resulted in their revenge being colder and intentional. Although Catherine was emotionally hurt by her father’s contempt for herself her revenge still had a level of respect, she did not yell or create emotional or physical harm, she just used her father’s invasiveness against him and withheld information. Although Catherine inheritance was still taken away from her, James never provided evidence that Catherine felt guilt or joy from causing her father discomfort.

Show More
Related

  • Ruth McBride-Jordan in The Color of Water vs Love Medicine's Marie-Lazarre-Kashpaw

    1490 Words  | 3 Pages

    Each of the characters comes across a point of darkness in their lives, forcing them to make a difficult decision. After leaving her home in the South, Ruth tries to make it on her own by working in Harlem and meets Rocky, who, unbeknownst to her, is a pimp. When she finally does realize this, she gets lost in the night life in an attempt to forget her past, and almost ruins her future. Ruth even says, "...a prostitute, which I almost did become." (McBride, Pg.172) She gets past this when she fesses up to Dennis McBride, and realizes her error when she sees how disappointed he is. Ruth then returns home to Bubeh, her grandmother living in New York, and gets a decent job at a diner. Jade Snow comes across a similar, yet different problem when she is unable to acquire the scholarship for a university. She starts to consider not going to college at all if she can't go to a university until her friend, Joe, says to her, "…makes you so sure that junior college won't teach you anything.

    Read More

  • James Baldwin's Equal In Paris

    1093 Words  | 3 Pages

    In America, Baldwin was prepared for the implications of racial discrimination that he faced on a daily basis; however, he rationalizes that the discrimination that he faced in Paris was of a different breed, unlike anything that America had offered to him. In fact, this was more of an attack against the accused criminal, regardless of how petty the crime. Baldwin explicitly states "It was a strange feeling, in this situation, after a year in Paris, to discover that my weapons would never again serve me as they had." Therefore, as Baldwin explains how he feels unshielded versus the prejudice of Paris, the audience may observe how fundamentally different Paris' form of prejudice is than that of the Jim Crow racial discrimination found in America. Meanwhile, the reader is reminded of how quite discerning the intensity of prejudice is when implemented in unfamiliar forms. This, in progression, exposes the cunning demeanor of prejudice possesses as even though Baldwin had been experienced with facing judgment for his race, he was utterly unprepared and alarmed by the attacks he would go on to face due to the allegations that he stole sheets from the hotel. Quite literally, one may observe Baldwin's inability to escape prejudice in its entirety since it is not bounded to any shape or custom, rather it conforms to insecurities of the people of

    Read More

  • Abandonment Of Women In Toni Morrison's Song Of Solomon

    811 Words  | 2 Pages

    Rather, she discusses the thought that women are too dependent on men. One can argue that Ryna’s and Hagar’s reactions to their partners abandoning them are too extreme. When Hagar dies, Pilate exclaims “she was loved,” expressing that Hagar’s depression revolving around Milkman was needless, since she had a whole support system in Pilate and Reba. Another example of this is Macon’s abandonment of Ruth and Ruth’s dependency. Ruth, throughout the novel, is dependent on men for love. She forms a too intimate relationship with her father, but eventually he dies and she is left without his love. She does have a husband, but he denies physical affection and emotional support to her, and she becomes desperate without those presences. When she has her child, Milkman, she has almost a possessive relationship with him, not wanting him to leave her because she is afraid of losing another man, though Milkman does not really love his mother, much like he does not really love Hagar due to his blindness to other people’s emotions and wants. Morrison writes Ruth as obsessed with having a mutual sense of affection with a man after they emotionally abandon her, even though it is not really a necessity for her. Pilate helps clarify this, exclaiming that Ruth treats Milkman like a “house,” and says that if he does not have him, then that is

    Read More

  • The Sign Of Orpah Analysis

    915 Words  | 2 Pages

    She connects stories of different multicultural relationships between a man and a woman, and then continues on to compare the women and men from each story to each other. Social class is also mentioned in the story of Ruth and Boaz. Boaz was very wealthy and Ruth was found in his fields taking food for Naomi and herself. Traditionally, an individual that is born into a family of wealthiness is able to take care of their loved one- which is what Boaz does for Ruth after

    Read More

  • 'Mama's Baby: Impossible Paternity In James Baldwin And The Queer Imagination'?

    706 Words  | 2 Pages

    Matt Brim’s book James Baldwin and the Queer Imagination examines the works of Baldwin through a Queer lens arguing that Baldwin’s works are intersections of race and sexuality. In Chapter 4, entitled “Papas’ Baby: Impossible Paternity in Going to Meet the Man”, Brim focuses on the idea of fathers within literature and culture within white culture. Using Hortense Spiller’s essay “Mama’s Baby, Papa’s Maybe: An American Grammar Book”, Brim’s analysis “raises the issue of paternal presence and absence”(124). According to Spiller there is a paradox within African American slavery in which there are two fathers; the African American father and “captor father”(124), the slave master as a father figure. Since the African American father was denied

    Read More

  • Comparing A Streetcar Named Desire And A Raisin In The Sun

    1873 Words  | 4 Pages

    Walter believes that Ruth does not understand him or support his dreams, and Ruth is afraid to tell Walter the news of her pregnancy. Walter and Ruth argue because Walter believes that Ruth does not understand him and support his dreams and goals. During breakfast one morning Walter tries to discuss his hopes and dreams with Ruth, but Ruth shuts him down and tells him to “eat his eggs”. Walter: ”That is just what is wrong with the colored woman in this world…Don’t understand about building their men up and making ‘em feel like they somebody. Like they can do something.”(1.1.91) Ruth tries to talk to Walter on multiple occasions but they usually just end up arguing instead. Ruth:”Oh, let him go on out and drink himself to death! He makes me sick to my stomach!” Walter: “And you turn mine too baby!” Ruth is worried that the news of her pregnancy will overwhelm Walter and considers having an abortion to avoid further conflict with her husband. Mama: “Son- do you know your wife is expecting another baby? I think Ruth is thinking ‘bout getting rid of that child. “Walter: “No-no- Ruth wouldn’t do that.” Walter, not even aware of his wife’s physical state, is shocked by the news from his mother about his wife’s decision instead of being financially

    Read More

  • Page 18-Ruth Waits For Her Older Cousin, Jeanette

    542 Words  | 2 Pages

    Page 93-Right now in the story, Ruth’s mother thinks that Ruth lied to her but she really didn’t. I can relate to this because there have been times when my mom hasn’t believed me when I was actually telling the truth like Ruth

    Read More

  • Baldwin's Impact Of Racism In Go Tell It On The Mountain

    1266 Words  | 3 Pages

    Many people know of the social struggles faced by black people in the 1930’s, from the Great Depression to Jim Crow laws. Though few can say, “Wow, life must have been hard,” or “Times were tough.” they cannot fully grasp the hardships faced by blacks during this time period. Moreover, people who are still alive can say they knew what it was like growing up as a struggling black citizen from an underprivileged neighborhood, such as the notorious Harlem, New York. But many cannot empathize with being a underprivileged gay black youth raised in Harlem, New York. For author James Baldwin, this was his harsh reality. Baldwin’s struggles, as tragic as they were, could only be expressed through his writing. James Baldwin uses the semi-autobiographical aspect of Go Tell It on the Mountain to discuss his sexuality, religion, and the impact of racism on his life.

    Read More

  • James Baldwin Analysis

    1536 Words  | 4 Pages

    While within this small Switzerland village, Baldwin develops a deeper understanding of racism against Africans and where it originated from. The essay states, “Go back a few centuries and they are in their full glory- but I am in Africa, watching the conquerors arrive” . This suggests that, in a broader sense, the issue of racism is present throughout the world because of outdated mindsets. Baldwin also blames history in saying that it is the “nightmare from which no one can awaken” . This perception of an entrapment within outdated mindsets allows the reader to understand the never-ending unfairness the black population faces throughout the world. This approach is very successful in viewing the more broad condition and therefore being able to criticize the entire situation. “People are trapped in history just as history is trapped within them” and there is therefore no way to escape. Baldwin goes as far as to suggest that the USA’s harsh views and horrific past paved the way for racial wars slurs that are still hurtful to this day. Baldwin effectively conveys this opinion by depicting how Americans looked down upon black men, and created the word ‘nigger’ because they failed to realize that blacks have rights as well. Whether it is due to deliberate hate or an ignorance of African history, this racism is seen throughout the world in not only a dominant country like America, but also a small isolated village within Europe. Because of this, Baldwin suggests that black and white people alike will never be the same as they once were, and therefore the world has been forever changed. A powerful message like this is relatable to the entire world as Baldwin focuses the topic to be broader and more philosophical in point of view. This shift in overall point of view is a successful approach

    Read More

  • James Baldwin's Essay Stranger In The Village

    1837 Words  | 4 Pages

    Unlike the isolation and alienation that he felt in America, the lonesomeness that he felt in Switzerland surpassed it tremendously. Plus, although he was well known in Switzerland, it wasn’t because of his familial ties, rather it was because of his physical features. He was treated as a walking exhibit. And though it would have been easier to blame such humiliation on the locals themselves, he instead opted to show how such events were a direct result of European “innocence.” The misconceptions that white Americans have possessed with regards to the integration of Blacks was essentially deemed impossible by Baldwin. He used his essay to assure whites and Negroes alike that "This world is white no longer, and it will never be white again" (Bookbuilder, pp.18). The concept of adapting European innocence in American has proven to be problematic. Reasons being, it has created a false reality of American Culture, it has provided an unachievable sense of power which fosters ignorance and naivety towards non-whites, and it has led to the ongoing oppression, inferiority, and terrorization of African

    Read More

  • The Color Of Water Ruth Values

    1019 Words  | 3 Pages

    Ruth’s life is transformed when she gets her first boyfriend. Ruth says that her life changed when she fell in love with Peter (McBride 112). Ruth never sees love as a child. Her family cared for her but they did not love her the way Peter did. Ruth begins to learn to love from Peter and sees its value. Because she values love, she then later loves her children. Ruth’s two husbands also bring out her value for love. Ruth comes to rely on her two husbands. Her first husband Dennis brought her so much happiness and joy. Dennis provided for his family and loved Ruth so much. Ruth’s world changed, and she became a better person because of Dennis (McBride 234). Ruth learned the importance of relationships since her relationship with Dennis changed her so much. She was able to learn the traits that Dennis had and show them to her kids. Hunter Jordan, Ruth’s second husband, loved Ruth also. Hunter tells Ruth that he’ll help Ruth for the rest of his life (McBride 247). Hunter supports and loves Ruth and her family so Ruth values that relationship. Through Ruth’s boyfriend and two husbands, she learns to rely and value on love from other men. Ruth then gave her love back to her children to support them like her men supported her. Ruth’s unconditional love helps shape the children into the wonderful adults they

    Read More

  • Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

    2637 Words  | 6 Pages

    Cecilia was diagnosed with cancer while Ruth was in high school and the day before her daughter’s graduation, she passed away (Salokar & Volcansek, 1996). One of the greatest influences on Ruth’s life was her mother and the values she instilled in her from a young age. Two of the greatest lessons that Ruth learned from her mother was to be independent and to be a lady, and by that she meant not to respond in anger but to remain calm in situations (Reynolds, 2009).... ... middle of paper ... ...

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Going To Meet The Man By James Baldwin

    972 Words  | 2 Pages

    In “Going to Meet the Man,” James Baldwin writes of Jessie, a white sheriff in the racially-charged post- civil war south, who is having sexual problems with his wife and is instead sexually attracted to African American women and is seemingly aroused by violence in the jailhouse. Jessie has a flashback during the story to when he was a young child and his parents took him to watch a huge crowd of people lynch and castrate a black man. This, along with violent racism Jessie acts on towards African Americans, brings up the nature vs nurture argument in terms of racism. In this paper, I will argue that Baldwin uses vivid, explicit sexual language to argue that racism stems from dual causes; one being sexist undertones in which African Americans

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Lynching In James Baldwin's Going To Meet The Man

    793 Words  | 2 Pages

    James Baldwin’s “Going to Meet the Man” paints a portrait of a Sunday social with ladies breaking out their best potluck dishes and men drinking and smoking and laughing at the trials and tribulation of everyday life. Children played and made merry. This all sounds like a perfect Sunday afternoon in the Old South. Many a Sunday were probably spent like this on neighbor’s porches to be sure, however, on this particular day a man was being murdered. The gruesome lynching described by Baldwin in this story can give even the most combat hardened veteran nightmares. The castration, evisceration, incineration and decapitation of the black man in this narrative was written as fiction. These events are far from fictional or even exceptional in the

    Read More

  • Theme Of Femininity In The Howards End

    1298 Words  | 3 Pages

    The feminine spirit of the novel triumphs when it is unhindered by issues of sexual nature, as with Margaret’s sexuality. Her sexuality decreases throughout the novel, through the guidance of Ruth Wilcox’s spirit and even the spirit of her home; Margaret then becomes aware of the unity between the “seen”and the “unseen.” Before this, Margaret was in touch with her femininity and was aware of a baffling division between the world and the spiritual ...

    Read More

More about How Does Baldwin Use Self-Hatred In Going To Meet The Man

Open Document