The Racial Problem in the Works of Richard Wright and James Baldwin

Jean-Francois Gounard’s examination of the writings of Richard Wright and James Baldwin aims to achieve a balance between the fiery Wright and the placid Baldwin. Gounard’s two studies prove a complementary relationship between the works of these two American writers. Both reflect the profound desire of black Americans to be recognised as first class citizens: Wright aroused white America’s conscience, Baldwin made that conscience experience guilt. According to Gounard, this complementary relationship, and their leading roles in American race relations, make their work seminal. The book argues that understanding the evolution of Wright’s and Baldwin’s ideas is essential to understanding the evolution of the American race problem. This analytical study covers both the literary works and the political and philosophical essays of these two men. It should be a useful study for courses in Afro-American studies and African literature. American society has not yet given definitive, hopeful answers to the questions raised by this study. Goundard relies on biographical elements and textual analysis to retrace the careers of these two writers who deeply influenced their era. The study stresses the evolution of their ideas in their essays, articles and interviews. Emphasis is also placed on how those ideas were applied in their novels, short stories, plays and poems. Goundard also introduces the points of view of various critics. The study follows a chronological path covering a 30 year period (1940-1970), concluding with a comprehensive bibliography of the two authors’ works.