Another Country and Go Tell it on the Mountain are two of James Baldwin's most analyzed novels. Some see both novels as great additions to American literature, while others criticize Baldwin's unique writing style used in both works.Another Country has been called a true American classic, and also a literary failure. At any rate, it is an extremely controversial novel filled with controversial characters. The majority of the novel is filled with either talk or fornication, and at least halfway through the novel the talk takes over and begins to control it.Baldwin's Another Country is divided into categories. These categories, including black/white, hetero/homosexual, and male/female are constantly brought up throughout the novel.The novel is divided into three sections and covers four narratives. Each narrative focuses on two characters, and the eight main characters interact throughout the novel. All of the pairs focus on the categories that were mentioned before.Rufus Scott and Leona make up the first pair of characters. Rufus is a black jazz musician trapped in a white racist society . Leona is his southern mistress who seems to compliment his harsh sexuality with her fragile temperament. The first section concludes with Leona losing her sanity and the suicide of Rufus Scott.The second narrative covers Ida Scott and Vivaldo Moore. Ida was Rufus' brother, and Vivaldo, his best and only true friend. Vivaldo is a white male who is somewhat confused about his sexuality, as most characters in the novel are as well. He somehow feels responsible for the death of Rufus, and is constantly haunted by his memories. Ida is a proud black woman who made it her goal to avenge her brothers' death. Cass and Richard Silenski make up the third narrative. The couple exemplify a traditional relationship; white, married with children, however, they are not happy together.The fourth narrative involves two white homosexuals, Eric Jones and ...
