Notes of a Native Son

James Baldwin did not have a loving relationship with his father. There was not much communication between the two, and for a long period of time he felt hate towards him. All the negative memories of his father made him feel enraged, but he realized in order to hate someone or a group of people like the “whites” you have to be ignorant. People hate each other because they block out all the positive thoughts and only think about the negative thoughts and actions they have committed. Baldwin and his father were not able to confront each other because they had to much pride. Similar to the "whites" they build an invisible wall between them. The wall separated them and kept them from communicating.

Even though Baldwin and his father did not socialize with one another they both found ways to release their high tensions. Baldwin prefer expressing himself through his writing rather than preaching. Unlike his father, who enjoyed talking negative about others who where different than him.After his fathers death Baldwin wished to have been patient with his father and got to know him better.

Baldwin realized his father made some mistakes, but remember a kind things his father had done for him when he was young. For example, Baldwin's father comfort Baldwin when he had scrapped his knee on the footrest of the barber's chair when he was getting a haircut. Baldwin learned people who make mistakes are not all bad people, and should be given a second chance. Although, it was too late to bond with his father, he learned a valuable lesson that will help him keep his heart free from hatred.

Notes of a Native Son

James Baldwin did not have a loving relationship with his father. There was not much communication between the two, and for a long period of time he felt hate towards him. All the negative memories of his father made him feel enraged, but he realized in order to hate someone or a group of people like the “whites” you have to be ignorant. People hate each other because they block out all the positive thoughts and only think about the negative thoughts and actions they have committed. Baldwin wished to have been patient with his father and got to know him better. Although, it was too late to bond with his father, he learned a valuable lesson that will help him keep his heart free from hatred.

A Positive Attitude

I was able to relate to the story "The Code". I imagined how the author must have felt having an aunt like Helen because I also had a cold hearted aunt. Whatever my mom and I did was never good enough for her. According to my aunt her cooking was better than our cooking. I didn’t understand why she didn’t appreciate my mother and I. I felt anger when Aunt Helen didn’t approve of the box cake for Uncle Frank. How dare she look down on someone for taking the time of doing something thoughtful for another person.
Aunt Helen made me realized people who criticize others are the ones who are unhappy. She had nothing better to do but, to talk bad about others even people in her family. Maybe it was jealousy Aunt Helen felt, but I believe people shouldn’t let others put them down. The more confident people are the more anger the other person will feel knowing they cannot bring them down with their words.
After reading the story I felt bad for Aunt Helen she was divorced and lonely. She seemed to always have a negative attitude towards life. I hope one day she learns to appreciate and love life. We only live once and need to live our life to the fullest. I enjoyed reading the story not only did I realize I wasn’t the only one with an ungrateful aunt, but I realized how lucky I am to be able to maintain my cool and not let people put me down.