Map of Harlem
James Baldwin was born in Harlem, New York. Many of his stories take place there as well. In Sonny's Blues, Baldwin speaks of the narrator and and his brother taking a cab home one day. On one side of the cab is Central Park being surrounded by beautiful homes and people living luxury lives. On the other side of the cab is the ghetto. People living in low income homes and having problems to survive. Seeing a map of this city is necessary to realize where James Baldwin grew up and where his stories take place. Knowing what the city looks like and having a feel for where his own events as well as the character's events he has made up, gives the reader a better understanding of his stories. James Baldwin creates stories to show the reader not to tell.
Page design: Stephanie Yurasits [lova@prodigy.net]
Created: November/December 1999