54 pages • 1 hour read
James BaldwinA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Giovanni’s room is in a perpetual state of disarray; not only is it full of Giovanni’s belongings, but contains remnants of attempted renovations, tools, and long-rotten food. David compares the room to Giovanni’s mindset before they met: He did not want to live and so he punished himself with the dirty room. Giovanni thinks David can save his life, and for a while David enjoys “playing the housewife” (88) while Giovanni is at work. Soon, however, his feelings become deeply confused. David both desires and resents Giovanni’s love, and he feels like the room is absorbing him. David also dislikes Giovanni’s weaponization of David’s Americanness against him.
David gets his mail from the American Express Office, where American tourists confront him in their familiarity and growing alienation. One day, David receives two letters: one from his father and one from Hella. His father refuses to send David money and entreats him to come home, not wanting David to waste any more time in Europe. Before opening Hella’s letter, David accidentally stares at a passing sailor. The sailor looks at David with contempt, making David fear that his desire for men is now recognizable.
By James Baldwin
Another Country
James Baldwin
A Talk to Teachers
James Baldwin
Blues for Mister Charlie
James Baldwin
Going To Meet The Man
James Baldwin
Go Tell It on the Mountain
James Baldwin
I Am Not Your Negro
James Baldwin
If Beale Street Could Talk
James Baldwin
If Black English Isn't a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is?
James Baldwin
Nobody Knows My Name: More Notes of a Native Son
James Baldwin
No Name in the Street
James Baldwin
Notes of a Native Son
James Baldwin
Sonny's Blues
James Baldwin
Stranger in the Village
James Baldwin
The Amen Corner
James Baldwin
The Fire Next Time
James Baldwin
The Rockpile
James Baldwin
American Literature
View Collection
Appearance Versus Reality
View Collection
Books that Feature the Theme of...
View Collection
Fear
View Collection
LGBTQ Literature
View Collection
National Book Awards Winners & Finalists
View Collection
Pride Month Reads
View Collection
Romance
View Collection
SuperSummary Staff Picks
View Collection