Go Tell it on the Mountain

Go Tell it on the Mountain is a 1953 autobiographical novel by James Baldwin. The novel examines the role of the Christian Church in the lives of African-Americans, both as a source of repression and moral hypocrisy and as a source of inspiration and community. It also, more subtly, examines racism in the United States. The novel is likely Baldwin?s most famous.

Allusion to the Story of Ham

Baldwin makes several references to the Holy Bible in Go Tell it on the Mountain, most importantly to the story of Ham, Noah?s son who saw his father naked one day. Noah consequently cursed Ham?s son Caanan to be the servant of the sons of the Noah?s other sons.

Related Topics:
Holy Bible - Ham - Noah

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This story is important for two reasons. Firstly, it was used as a Biblical justification of slavery and the inferiority of the Negroid race because Ham?s sons migrated to Africa. John wonders about this interpretation briefly in the novel. Secondly, this story established the taboo of the nakedness of the patriarchy. John apparently one day also saw Gabriel naked in the bath. But he also sees Gabriel naked metaphorically. John sees him as a hypocrite. Because of this, the story of Ham is referenced often when Baldwin describes John?s crisis of faith

Related Topics:
Slavery - Negroid - Africa - Taboo

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