Talk:Go Tell It on the Mountain (novel)
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[edit] Title
Where does the title come from? Is it biblical?--Shtove 20:10, 1 June 2006 (UTC)
- it comes from the negro spiritual song, based on the biblical practice of go out on mountains and possibly alluding to the "Sermon on the Mount". :: Kevinalewis : (Talk Page)/(Desk) 08:35, 12 September 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Coming Out
My reading of the climactic scene is that John is attracted to the church because he has a crush on Elisha though he does not admit this even to himself (ie. he is still closeted). He does not expect to be taken over by 'the spirit' because he does not really believe but only subconsciously desires to be close to Elisha. When he does find himself writhing at Elisha's feet he is amazed and finally admits to himself that he is attracted to men and that Elisha is not going to meet his meeds because he is straight and a 'Saint.' Of course this provides Baldwin with a rich comparison between religious and sexual ecstasy.
After this climactic scene, John comes into his own power, he rejects religion and he sees the behaviour of the 'Saints' as an expression of various subconscious desires. This changes the whole theme of the book from pro- to almost anti-religion and makes it a major turning point in both LGBT and African American literature. It makes this novel much more 'gay' than Giovanni's Room and certainly more that Another Country. This theme is actually revisited in a later novel about a male gospel group (forgot the name). You could even say it explains where Baldwin got the power to be the person he became in culture and politics.
I am surprised to find myself to be the person who is promoting Go Tell It.. as a gay coming out novel. If you thought Giovanni's Room was cutting edge, this is a revelation in that the intention of the author, which I see as conscious though discreet, has still not even been given recognition all these years later. Please reread the novel with this perspective and let me know if I am dreaming this interpretation which I have held since I read the book twenty years ago. Thanks —Preceding unsigned comment added by 142.110.227.98 (talk) 18:51, 27 March 2008 (UTC)
I agree that there is an erotic component to his fascination with Elisha, including the kiss that Elisha gives him after his conversion; but I don't think that there is any recognition in John by the end of the novel that he is attracted to men, or any rejection of the Church. He finds some release for his desires in giving himself up to Pentecostal salvation. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 192.30.202.21 (talk) 14:20, 11 June 2008 (UTC)
