The Fire Next Time Analysis

The Fire Next Time
Today I want to share a fiction book called The Fire Next Time, which was written by James Baldwin, described the social and racial injustice of African American in 20th century in the U.S. This book was published and became the national bestseller in 1963, when the Emancipation Proclamation was declared. It abolished slavery in the U.S., which made African American seek real freedom bravely. In addition, James Baldwin was one of the famous black writer, who explored more issues between social and racial inequality in his works because he mentioned a large number of African American`s life in this country. Meanwhile, he was the spokesman in the Civil Right movement. Besides that, this book consists two letters, including

“My Dungeon Shook: Letter to My Nephew on the One Hundredth Anniversary of the Emancipation,” and “Down at the Cross: Letter from a Region in My Mind.” To be emphasized, the first letter talks about the threaten of black man, and he encourages his nephew that they also can make America must become. Additionally, the second letter describes James Baldwin`s own experience of religion that he was dining with Elijah Muhammad, who was a popular charismatic black leader. Indeed, he mentions the inequality of the church`s hypocrites. Furthermore, the author used first person narrator to write these two letters.
The first letter shows African American`s life under injustice social construction.

Therefore, I will analyze the text through historical approach and racial perspective. James Baldwin wrote this letter to his nephew, a young black man, who absolutely was in lower class and often experienced racial inequality. James Baldwin writes: “Well, he is dead, he never saw you, and he had a terrible life: he was defeated long before he died because, at the bottom of his heart, he really believed what white people said about him”(4). At that time, black people had poor sources, and they often experienced discrimination. Although they wanted to defeat, they did not dare to do. Because they recognized they were white people`s slaves and they could not resist them. However, James Baldwin is a specific person in this letter because he is the unique one to against the unequal life. When other black men use moody to protect themselves but still feel inferiority, he encourages his nephew. He says: “You, don`t afraid. I said that it was intended that you should perish in the ghetto... You have, and many of us have, defeated this intention; and, by a terrible law, a terrible paradox, those innocents who believed that your imprisonment made them safe are losing their grasp of reality”(9). James Baldwin hopes his nephew not be influenced by what white men say. Likewise, he mentions there are many black men want to defeat with their unequal fate. He wants to achieve the real freedom, including the law, the realism, and the society. Furthermore, he has confident that African American can made American stronger, and he says: “ Great men have done great thing here, and will again, and we can make America what America must become”(10). The author suggests his nephew to study hard, and to build America with whites together, such as build railroads and dam

river.
In conclusion, my analysis help me to deeply cogitate what James Baldwin`s craft wants to show. I re-read again, and I find he pays more attention on racial injustices. Also, that`s the reason I use race approach to analyze this book. Actually, the discrimination still happened everywhere. For instances, most famous movie stars have light skin, even though for African American females stars. Generally speaking, the beautiful lady that people appreciate always depend on their favorite. Indeed, most time are lighter skin ladies. However, the racial injustices cannot be the excuse of lazy. Because there`s no convenient way to climb the mountain in our lives, hard working is the only way. All in all, I believe if I expend whole efforts, I will never ever be regret.