An Analysis Of The Protagonist John's Growth In James Baldwin's Go Tell It On The Mountain

First this paper introduces the author and the work. And then it analyzes viewpoints on religion and race, on identity, and on masculinist tradition, aiming at evoking the readers to contemplate such universal themes as life, growing, and so on.Initially, this paper illustrates the marginalized position of John by the analysis of the distorted father and son relationship under the religion. In Go Tell It on the Mountain, the relationship between people is distorted by the patriarchy. The alienation of the love between father and son evolves into mutual hostility and hatred. Then, this paper illustrates John's growth by the analysis of searching for his selfness. Although distorted love is equipped with destructive power, love is eventually returned under the united efforts of John and black communities. Return of self-confidence is reflection of love after John transcends himself and obtains a real self. It's necessary to point out that John still faces greater challenges before John possesses his positions in the family. Life will never be successful, and it is just a process; personal life has been wavering in the destruction and preservation. John should arouse love which has been gradually forgotten and dwell on the real meaning of love.