The Fire Next TIme
BY Lauren Gratzke ,and James Reynolds
Main Arguments
1) Racial inferiority: Through out this passage James Baldwin tries to point out and highlight the damage this ideality harms both the black and white community, and that it is important for the black community during that time to realize that they are not inferior
to their white brothers
2) Religion: in this passage Baldwin highlight how church it a much needed staple in the black community but he also highlight the corruption and hypocrisy that occurs through out.
3) Accepting Ones History: This passage ultimately works to get readers to understand not only the importance of accepting you for the way you are but also for accepting where you come from and that it shouldn't be a source for shame but one to learn and grow
Hypocrisy In the Church
Black Inferiority COmplex
Accepting Your Past
Rhetorical Devices
1) Allusion
Allusion play an important role throughout this passage and Baldwin often uses them to highlight similarities between the two subjects he talks about for example
"They were not so far [...] a more deadly struggle had began" ( Baldwin 37)
2) Didactic
Are very important in The Fire Next TIme and are often use often clear up an argument or to offer deeper insight on a topic Baldwin is talking about
"How can one however dream of power in any other terms than in the symbol of power: (Baldwin 80).
3) Diction:
Baldwin utilizes diction to give new meaning to words
" You must 9 [...] The Very Word begins to have a despairing and diabolical ring" (Baldwin 54).