Monday, Sept. 27 3:45 ZOOM mtg.
Moderator: Susan Woodhams
"A major work of Black American fiction." –The New Republic
Told through the eyes of Tish, a nineteen-year-old girl, in love with Fonny, a young sculptor who is the father of her child, Baldwin’s story mixes the sweet and the sad. Tish and Fonny have pledged to get married, but Fonny is falsely accused of a terrible crime and imprisoned. Their families set out to clear his name, and as they face an uncertain future, the young lovers experience a kaleidoscope of emotions–affection, despair, and hope. In a love story that evokes the blues, where passion and sadness are inevitably intertwined, Baldwin has created two characters so alive and profoundly realized that they are unforgettably ingrained in the American psyche.
Told through the eyes of Tish, a nineteen-year-old girl, in love with Fonny, a young sculptor who is the father of her child, Baldwin’s story mixes the sweet and the sad. Tish and Fonny have pledged to get married, but Fonny is falsely accused of a terrible crime and imprisoned. Their families set out to clear his name, and as they face an uncertain future, the young lovers experience a kaleidoscope of emotions–affection, despair, and hope. In a love story that evokes the blues, where passion and sadness are inevitably intertwined, Baldwin has created two characters so alive and profoundly realized that they are unforgettably ingrained in the American psyche.
Overall, I think that this novel would be a high interest option for upper classmen. The themes of the hypocrisy of religion, familial love and acceptance and the inequalities of the criminal justice system make this novel relevant to our population. In addition, the love story between Tish and Fonny will keep students' attention as they enjoy the recollections Tish has about their relationship. As a literary technique, Tish's non-chronological back and forth will help students understand how the author has structured the plot to maximize their attention. If I were teaching upper classmen I would definitely employ this novel!
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