James Baldwins "Go Tell It on the Mountain" - a religious approach

The seminar paper explores the complex upbringing of James Arthur Baldwin, shaped significantly by his stepfather, a Pentecostal preacher who struggled economically during the Great Depression. Baldwin's relationship with his father, marked by bitterness and conflict over education and ambition, profoundly influenced his literary voice. Encouragement from figures like Orilla Bill Miller and Gertrude Ayer helped him pursue writing despite his father's disdain for education. The paper delves into Baldwin's early life, highlighting the oppressive religiosity and societal challenges he faced.