Another Country –James Baldwin

 

James Baldwin was born in 1924 in Harlem, New York. He became on the 20^th centuries greatest writers, for writing and exploring racial issues throughout his career. He was renowned as being a key voice in the civil rights movement. Much of Baldwin’s personal life is reflected through his novel ‘Another Country’ as it tells the story of a young African American like himself, struggling through life, living in Harlem, New York.

 

The novels tells the story of a group of friends from a variety of different backgrounds, age, wealth, education and race and how they all live in Harlem, however first part of the book is focused on the life of Rufus Scott, a young jazz musician that seems to struggle with knowing himself and fitting into everyday life. Baldwin uses imagery to depict the vast streets of Harlem where all races associate with each other, yet inequality and racial discrimination is still very prevalent. Rufus is described as being sexual confused as throughout the novel he is shown to have both male and female partners. This also reflects Baldwin’s personal life as he was open about his homosexuality. Baldwin brilliantly attaches the reader immediately to the character of Rufus regardless of whether the reader can relate to him or not. He does this displaying the raw emotions of the character by using powerful metaphors and descriptions. At times Rufus is seen to be powerful and yet vulnerable in the situations making his character seem to have a mixed personality. As a reader you are able to sympathise with Rufus when he is described as vulnerable yet you are able to dislike him at the same time because of some of his actions especially when his violent side is shown.

Rufus engages into a relationship a white girl Leona, who at the time of the novels setting (1960’s) was very unusual; this is an example of Baldwin challenging the subject of race and equality. The character of Rufus often explains that people assume she is with his best friend Vivaldo because he is also white. However this relationship is very troubled and abusive, resulting in the depression of both Leona and Rufus. This leads to him committing suicide. The group is shocked by this event but is brought closer together by this tragic situation. This leads to the formation of new relationships such as Vivaldo and Ida (Rufus’s sister), another example of a couple that goes against conventions. The use of the characters emotion and passion that they portray is key. It enables the themes of friendship and racial inequality to create underlying messages within the novel.

- 3 stars