Notes of a Native Son is a collection of ten essays published in 955, mostly dealing with issues of race in America and Europe. In the title essay, Notes of a Native Son, James Baldwin juxtaposes his feelings with the death of his father the end of a lifetime of racial bitterness with images of Harlem in August 943, despoiled after the controversial shooting of a black soldier from widespread rioting. Baldwins description of his father seems very straightforward. Hes very blunt, and hes not afraid to identify his father using negative adjectives. It shows the relationship between love and hate that they had. Baldwin portrayed his father in a bad way and revealed the depth of his knowledge about the personality of his father. However, deep inside, we can see that James Baldwin loves his father a lot, we see this during his fathers funeral. When people started singing the favorite
song of his father, the song immediately brought Baldwin to memories he had with his father when he was young. This scene shows that there are still good memories between Baldwin and his father, he just didnt want to admit it. Towards the end of the story, Baldwin begins to become aware of his violent feelings toward whites, and he realizes that he has to overcome his filial hatred with the death of his father, just as black and white Americans have to face their shameful history.
James Baldwins contributions to the world of literature undeniably created a new language and understanding of the black experience in America, political activism, and coming to terms with ones self, spirituality, and moral values. So, in particular, in Notes of a Native Son he not only reveals to the reader his feelings towards his father and his death but also raises the painful issue of racial segregation.