1. Read the following excerpt from "Notes of a Native Son" by James Baldwin:
All of my father's texts and songs, which I had decided were meaningless, were
arranged before me at his death like empty bottles, waiting to hold the meaning
which life would give them for me. This was his legacy: nothing is ever
escaped. That bleakly memorable morning I hated the unbelievable streets and
the Negroes and whites who had, equally, made them that way. But I knew that
it was folly, as my father would have said, this bitterness was folly. It was
necessary to hold on to the things that mattered. The dead man mattered, the
new life mattered; blackness and whiteness did not matter; to believe that they
did was to acquiesce in one's own destruction. Hatred, which could destroy so
much, never failed to destroy the man who hated and this was an immutable
law.
It began to seem that one would have to hold in the mind forever two ideas
which seemed to be in opposition. The first idea was acceptance, the
acceptance, totally without rancor, of life as it is, and men as they are: in the
light of this idea, it goes without saying that injustice is a commonplace. But
this did not mean that one could be complacent, for the second idea was of
equal power: that one must never, in one's own life, accept these injustices as
commonplace but must fight them with all one's strength.
Analyze the author's message in this excerpt. How do the structure and style contribute to its
power? In particular, consider its use of societal commentary and figurative language. Be sure
to include specific details from the text to support your answer. (10 points)

Question

10-05-2024
English

Answered

1. Read the following excerpt from "Notes of a Native Son" by James Baldwin:
All of my father's texts and songs, which I had decided were meaningless, were
arranged before me at his death like empty bottles, waiting to hold the meaning
which life would give them for me. This was his legacy: nothing is ever
escaped. That bleakly memorable morning I hated the unbelievable streets and
the Negroes and whites who had, equally, made them that way. But I knew that
it was folly, as my father would have said, this bitterness was folly. It was
necessary to hold on to the things that mattered. The dead man mattered, the
new life mattered; blackness and whiteness did not matter; to believe that they
did was to acquiesce in one's own destruction. Hatred, which could destroy so
much, never failed to destroy the man who hated and this was an immutable
law.
It began to seem that one would have to hold in the mind forever two ideas
which seemed to be in opposition. The first idea was acceptance, the
acceptance, totally without rancor, of life as it is, and men as they are: in the
light of this idea, it goes without saying that injustice is a commonplace. But
this did not mean that one could be complacent, for the second idea was of
equal power: that one must never, in one's own life, accept these injustices as
commonplace but must fight them with all one's strength.
Analyze the author's message in this excerpt. How do the structure and style contribute to its
power? In particular, consider its use of societal commentary and figurative language. Be sure
to include specific details from the text to support your answer. (10 points)

Answer :

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e3van22 e3van22 · Answer 1 · 2024-05-10T22:00:37-04:00

In this excerpt from "Notes of a Native Son" by James Baldwin, the author grapples with the complexities of acceptance and resistance in the face of societal injustices. The structure and style of the passage contribute to its power by presenting a dialectical exploration of these themes, marked by a reflective and introspective tone.

Baldwin begins by describing his initial disillusionment with his father's teachings, viewing them as meaningless. However, upon his father's death, he realizes the profound significance and wisdom contained within them, symbolized by the "empty bottles, waiting to hold the meaning." This metaphor underscores the transformative potential of lived experience in assigning meaning to one's existence.

The author then confronts the bitterness and hatred he feels towards the unjust world he inhabits, acknowledging the folly of succumbing to such emotions. Through the lens of his father's teachings, Baldwin recognizes the necessity of holding onto what truly matters—the memory of his father, the promise of new life—while rejecting the divisive constructs of race and societal expectations.

The passage's use of societal commentary is evident in Baldwin's critique of racial injustice and the ways it permeates everyday life. He highlights the role of acceptance in acknowledging the prevalence of injustice, yet juxtaposes it with the imperative to resist and fight against it. This dual perspective reflects the tension between resignation and activism that characterizes Baldwin's worldview.

Figurative language, such as the metaphor of "holding in the mind forever two ideas" and the personification of hatred as a destructive force, adds depth and resonance to the author's message. These literary devices serve to elucidate the internal conflict Baldwin experiences and underscore the enduring struggle for justice in an imperfect world.

Overall, Baldwin's adept use of structure, style, societal commentary, and figurative language in this excerpt contributes to its power by compelling readers to grapple with profound existential questions and the moral imperative to confront injustice with courage and resilience.