"Another Country"

Paper Summary:

James Baldwin is most well known for his ability to blend the ideas of sexuality and race and place them in a contemporary context. One of the best examples of his ability is the novel, "Another Country". This paper describes how Baldwin illustrates the New York City underworld and the relationships between its members. Most importantly, it shows how Baldwin addresses the idea of bisexuality, both literally and metaphorically. He uses the suicide death of a character to explore the personalities of those close to the individual.

From the Paper:

"While Baldwin addresses many issues, often intertwining them, his focus is on sexuality. The most vivid parts of the book deal with sex. He describes a scene involving Vivaldo and Ida, "He put his hands on her breasts, which were heavy and wide apart with reddish-brown nipples. Her large shoulders quivered a little, a pulse beat in her neck. She watched him with a face at once troubled and detached, calm, and at the same time, frightened" (174). Baldwin points out the sexual tension between the two. The sexual contact has brought them pleasure, but also apprehension. It is as if there is something forbidden about what they are doing, or as if their conscious is telling them not to. Baldwin is careful to always emphasize that sex has consequences if not physically, then mentally. It is not something that happens, and is instantly forgotten about."

More papers on "Another Country":

• Analytical Essay # 90678 : "Ernest Hemingway's "In Another Country"
• Analytical Essay # 56109 : "Love in Baldwin's "Another Country"
• Analytical Essay # 11873 : "Come Out the Wilderness" & "Another Country"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: