The Influences of Life on Literature

By Madison Boyle

James Baldwin, an African American novelist and civil rights activist, is renowned for his works commonly using themes of race and identity. “This Morning, This Evening, So Soon,” one of his obscure pieces, provides a poignant rumination of his own life experiences. James Baldwin was born and raised in Harlem, New York, and was the oldest child. When he was just fourteen years old, he became a junior minister and preached Christianity. He separated from the church as he believed his faith was used to enslave his people. After he graduated from high school, he traveled to Paris and “found himself” as a novelist. James Baldwin uses his life struggling experiences with racial identity and societal expectations as an influence for his writing style, as evidenced in the short story, “This Morning, This Evening, So Soon.” 

Two forces that shaped the author’s work were his race and where he was raised. James Baldwin was an African American who grew up in the 1920s. His skin color was detrimental to his life as the time he was raised was a very discriminatory period. “James Baldwin compares his experience as an unsolved stepson with his experience as a black American, noting that U.S culture treats blacks like ugl step children.” (Adubato). His color has. Lot of impact on what he wrote at many of his topics were on how he didn’t fit in and was constantly judged. Baldwin was born in America and more specifically New York. “In New York, one had, still, to fight very hard in order not to perish of loneliness.” (Baldwin). Since he was born in America, he was surrounded by white people. He has made it known that moving to Paris helped him find himself.

Overall, where James Baldwin was born as well as his skin color impacted his work in numerous ways. 

In this short story, James Baldwins body of work showcases many important characteristics. Baldwin uses social commentary to expand the main ideas of racial and discriminatory issues throughout the story. “The trick is to think of some way for them to have their fun without beating you up,” (“James Baldwin”). In this point of the story, the sin character Hall Montana is telling a white person how black people must act around cops in order to be safe. This is an example of racial discrimination issues happening throughout the story. The use of dialogue creates a sense of realisms that can help the reader understand character relationships as well as their emotions. “My God, your father is cranky this morning, isn’t he?” (“James Baldwin”). This quote is a piece of dialogue that makes the story realistic and shows a genuine moment that resonates with the reader. Ultimately, “This Morning, This Evening, So Soon,” embodies characteristics of social commentary as well as realistic dialogue. 

Throughout the story, the main character grows to accept his travels back to New York. This reflects the author’s life as he learns to appreciate his roots and where he came from, which is also New York. James Baldwin uses his personal events to create a theme that shows the struggle of his self-acceptance in a society full of racism and prejudice. “I could see where I came from very clearly, and I could see that I carried myself, which is my home, with me.” (“James Baldwin”). “I feel very cheerful, I don’t know why.” (Baldwin) After his travels to Paris, James can see that his home made him who he was, and even though he experienced a lot of discrimination, it made him who he was. James Baldwin experienced many events in which his race influenced the outcome. In the story, we can see that his lesson about life has to do with ideas of race and inequity. “As our country once again confronts violent racism, Baldwins words

explore what hatred can do not only to society at large but to the individual who bears it.” (Adubato). “But most Americans do not yet know what anguish is.” (Baldwin). Baldwin shows themes of race and how America is a place of systemic prejudice. In the end, James Baldwin is represented in the main character of this story through many thematic elements. 

James Baldwin uses many literary elements throughout the story. Parallelism as well as repetition are constantly used to emphasize the ideas of racism and societal expectations. Parallelism is big throughout this story and has a lot of meaning. “For the first time in his life-that he can reach out to everyone, that he is accessible to everyone and open to everything,” parallels the narrator’s jubilation on April morning, high upon pont royal bridge, when he discovers his love for Harriet.” (Mallegg). “Paris will no longer exist for me in my mind; and only in the minds of some people will I exist any longer for Paris.” The parallelism portrayed in the story broadens the ideas the author has to share ad creates a better understanding of the main characters thoughts. Specific repetition used throughout the story brings attention to how the author felt about his life struggles and his internal battles. “He is having nightmares about returning home and having to change how he interacts with white people owing to the entrenched racism of the country.” (Mallegg). “You are all full of nightmares.” (Baldwin). The word nightmares is consistently used in the story as a way to show the characters fear things and have gone through events that have scarred them. 

Throughout this process, I have learned that literature can be brought to life and have an impact and have an impact on the reader. This paper has proven the thesis by showing and supporting the idea that James Baldwin’s life had an influence on how he wrote, “This morning, This evening, So Soon.” He brought the reader on a journey of his life and what he experienced. Baldwin went through many battles with the color of his skin due to when and where he grew up.

I hope to spread my knowledge of this story to whomever is reading this paper and that James Baldwin stays known as a famous American writer. 

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Biography

My name is Madison Boyle, and I am a senior. Outside of school, I dance competitively at a studio and have been training for 14 years. I am also on the school dance team where I compete and choreograph dances.

What is your main source of inspiration?

Reflecting on the question about my main source of inspiration, I would like to highlight the significant influence of my brother. His exceptional writing skills and unwavering encouragement have been instrumental in shaping my own writing journey.

How do you resonate with your piece? Why is it personal to you?

This piece resonates with me as it represents a journey into understanding the intricate relationship between an author’s personal experiences and their literary creations. Exploring Baldwin’s narrative provided a deeper appreciation for the challenges and triumphs inherent in the African American experience, fostering personal growth and empathy.