Excellent review, especially your use of Frank O'Connor's terminology, his genius for implying categories through extended metaphor ("the sponge," for example) based on some minutely observed particular, as opposed to a lit-crit/sociological/political ready-made abstraction. P.S. Sarah Harwell says hello.
Garthwell’s argument is that it operates on homophobic logic because the gay characters are doomed to be unhappy, that happiness is impossible for gay people in the book. But he says that the beauty of Baldwin’s prose, its formal qualities, makes gay existence beautiful and makes the book “affirming” regardless of the book’s plot.
Hmmm… My only counter to that is that there are other characters across Baldwin’s work who could be said to be destined to be unhappy but are not gay. I am in complete agreement about the beauty of the prose!
Saved this to read when I get home!
Excellent review, especially your use of Frank O'Connor's terminology, his genius for implying categories through extended metaphor ("the sponge," for example) based on some minutely observed particular, as opposed to a lit-crit/sociological/political ready-made abstraction. P.S. Sarah Harwell says hello.
thank you so much—and hi Sarah!! <3
Great essay! As a short story writer myself, gave me a lot of incredible insight.
thank you! that’s excellent to hear
Curious to know what’s meant by Giovanni’s Room operating on homophobic logic?
Garthwell’s argument is that it operates on homophobic logic because the gay characters are doomed to be unhappy, that happiness is impossible for gay people in the book. But he says that the beauty of Baldwin’s prose, its formal qualities, makes gay existence beautiful and makes the book “affirming” regardless of the book’s plot.
Hmmm… My only counter to that is that there are other characters across Baldwin’s work who could be said to be destined to be unhappy but are not gay. I am in complete agreement about the beauty of the prose!