James Baldwin: "The Creative Process"

 

James Baldwin was a writer (novelist, poet, essayist, journalist, etc) who wrote not only about Civil Rights, but about all facets of American life. His work has found new readers in recent years because so many of the struggles that he identified have still not been resolved. 

Baldwin has very strident views about the role and responsibility of the artist. Read his short essay, "The Creative Process" and his short story, "Sonny's Blues" for next Tuesday, September 13. 

Be ready to address these (and related) questions:

1. How do the ideas in Baldwin's"The Creative Process" find expression in the short story "Sonny's Blues"?

2. Is what Baldwin is saying equally true for art-making as it is for writing? Explain. What are the differences? Do they matter? Why?

3. If you wrote a short essay called "The Creative Process," how would your approach be different from Baldwin's. Why?

4. What about Sonny makes him a great musician (artist)?

If you're curious to read more by James Baldwin, check out this online collection.