Often the protagonist of a Bildungsroman will undergo a cathartic revelation, shifting their perspective from one of innocence and childhood to one of understanding and adulthood; John Grimes, the protagonist of james baldwin's go tell it on the mountain experiences the journey of realization and self-discovery, culminating in the arrival of the holy spirit in his body, allowing him to see the flaws in his father john's character, as the most children, grew up thinking that his father was infallible and incapable of doing harm; as he begins to mature, he understands that his father is sinful and unjust at times, even when the holy spirit enters his body, John enters a dream state where she confronts her father and reveals her true feelings for him: “And I hate you, I don't care about your golden crown.” (Baldwin 234). Why shouldn't violent video games be banned"? Get an Original Essay John is starting to see his father as a flawed human being in contrast to how he saw him. despite being a child, a powerful and reliable man who takes care of his family like a king takes care of his subjects. These character flaws cause him to reject Gabriel and force him to reluctantly accept that his father is not the man he thought he was. John goes on to say, “I don't care about your long white robes, I saw you under the robe, I saw you.” (Baldwin 234). It is widely known that the color white in the Bible symbolizes purity and holiness, which John links to his father. John seeing his father without his white robes and "naked" indicates that he has brought to light what lies beneath the facade Gabriel endures for the audience John's realization of his father's sinful and ambiguous personality is difficult to accept, as it contrasts so violently with the saintly, fatherly figure of the priest he had known growing up, thus forcing him to examine the other adults in his life. and even his religious ideology. John is raised by Gabriel in an almost puritanical manner, all the while unaware that Gabriel's hospitality is a projection of self-loathing stemming from his past. However, John fears for his life when he believes he has committed the “mortal sin, to have looked upon his father's nakedness” (Baldwin 232). Without an adequate father figure in his life to educate him, John is completely unaware of the sexual changes he is undergoing and the implications they entail. Perverted by the image of Gabriel naked, he draws further parallels between the story of Noah and Ham and himself and begins to wonder if he himself is cursed just as Ham was. John rationalizes that all humans carry this curse, but not before nearly limiting the curse to African Americans. John not only looked at Gabriel's nakedness, but also “mocked him and cursed him in his heart.” (Baldwin 232). Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay John's remarks about seeing his father naked show the most basic revulsion he feels for his father. Wanting to dishonor his father, who he believed had cursed him just as Noah did his son, he chooses the most painful of abuses and insults his manhood. John no longer submits to his father's pious speeches and begins to understand when he is being treated badly. John's revelation forces him to lose the respect and obedience he once had for his father, making him aware of the reality of who people truly are, and not what they show to the public, which will help him as he progresses towards adulthood. Cited Baldwin, J. (1953). Go tell it in. (1998)..