“Stranger in the Village” by James Baldwin explores the ideas of racism in earlier and present societies. This topic is of current interest, especially in today’s time; America and other nations are presently partaking in many social and racial justice movements.
Baldwin opens his story by describing the first time he went to a small village in Switzerland. Due to the town’s inaccessibility, a person with black skin had never set foot in this remote village before, so Baldwin became a spectacle towards the people of the town. The longer Baldwin stays in the village, the more familiar the people become with him. However, in his and the people’s eyes, Baldwin still feels like a “stranger.” This is evident due to the children shouting “Neger!” …show more content…
When describing the Swiss village, Baldwin states “ the landscape is absolutely forbidding, mountains towering on all four sides, ice and snow as far as the eye can reach,” (362). When describing the children who have their faces blackened, he states “our of which bloodless darkness their blue eyes shine like ice-and fantastic horse hair wigs are placed on their blond heads,” (364). Baldwin’s vivid imagery and storytelling skills make his essay much more interesting and credible. The weaknesses in this text include talking about racism without seeing it through another person’s perspective. Baldwin only expands on his own personal encounters with racial injustice, so the audience is not sure what others may feel about the subject. This is the only weakness presented within the text.
In “Stranger in the Village,” James Baldwin stirs the emotions within his readers by talking about the racial injustices we have faced as a society. Baldwin’s argument is compelling, and his essay is clear and specific when he presents his information. Ultimately, Baldwin argues that society has created a new identity for its people, and it is time for everyone to accept that fact. He achieves getting this message across to his
Baldwin opens his story by describing the first time he went to a small village in Switzerland. Due to the town’s inaccessibility, a person with black skin had never set foot in this remote village before, so Baldwin became a spectacle towards the people of the town. The longer Baldwin stays in the village, the more familiar the people become with him. However, in his and the people’s eyes, Baldwin still feels like a “stranger.” This is evident due to the children shouting “Neger!” …show more content…
When describing the Swiss village, Baldwin states “ the landscape is absolutely forbidding, mountains towering on all four sides, ice and snow as far as the eye can reach,” (362). When describing the children who have their faces blackened, he states “our of which bloodless darkness their blue eyes shine like ice-and fantastic horse hair wigs are placed on their blond heads,” (364). Baldwin’s vivid imagery and storytelling skills make his essay much more interesting and credible. The weaknesses in this text include talking about racism without seeing it through another person’s perspective. Baldwin only expands on his own personal encounters with racial injustice, so the audience is not sure what others may feel about the subject. This is the only weakness presented within the text.
In “Stranger in the Village,” James Baldwin stirs the emotions within his readers by talking about the racial injustices we have faced as a society. Baldwin’s argument is compelling, and his essay is clear and specific when he presents his information. Ultimately, Baldwin argues that society has created a new identity for its people, and it is time for everyone to accept that fact. He achieves getting this message across to his