We've saved the biggest for last, folks. This topic is huge in all of James Baldwin's work, but in this, his first novel, it's particularly prevalent. The oppression of the black characters is a constant theme.
The characters' reaction to the racist system ranges from curiosity about white people to outright hatred of them, and events such as rapes, murders, police brutality, and unfair accusations reinforce the stifling environment of racial inequality that they live with every day.
Questions About Race
- Why does John question his father's assessment of white people? How does this come up in the novel?
- Why is Richard arrested in the subway? What does race have to do with it?
- Do the black characters in the story seem safer in the South or in the North? Why?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
Go Tell It On the Mountain is an indictment of the racism inherent in American society, which continues to this day.
Reading Go Tell It On the Mountain in the 21st century shows how far our society has come toward racial equality.