The Role Of Hope In James Baldwin's If Beale Street Could Talk

James Baldwin's novel If Beale Street Could Talk takes place in the early 1970s in Harlem, New York. The protagonists are Tish and Fonny, a young couple who experience the struggles of living in a racist society, while fighting for Fonny’s freedom after being accused of rape. The novel explores the roles of resilience, determination, and hope in the fight against a white racist society. Throughout the novel, Baldwin explores moments of hope, but these moments are eventually overshadowed by Fonny’s father’s suicide. Through much of the novel, Fonny’s father, Frank, symbolizes the struggle for justice due to his perseverance during Fonny’s trial and the optimism he expresses regarding the potential for his son’s exoneration. However, this is

His decision to commit makes him even more powerful against the racist, systematic society, allowing him to finally be free and make a choice for himself.

it's one black man vs a herd of white people. After having no rights whatsoever, Frank decides to do the one thing he can control, which is free himself from this unjust society he was born into.

Throughout the whole book, Baldwin sprinkles cheerful and positive moments that keep the reader hopeful for Fonny’s freedom. A symbol that portrays this hope is Tish and Fonny's baby. Although the baby isn't born yet, it keeps both Tish and Fonny together and brings hope for a future together as a family when Fonny is released. As Sharon, Tish’s mom, constantly reminds her that she has “got to think about that baby” (18) and “hold on to that baby” (18), as it will bring the couple closer to each other, even when Fonny finds himself behind bars, that baby claims to be “the best thing that ever happened to Fonny”(18), and that he needs it because it will “give him a whole lot of courage”(18) and strength to get through. The baby helps the characters imagine the peaceful future instead of the dark and realistic current issues of the present time. Their love for each other subconsciously grows because of the baby, pulling them closer together, and helping them persevere through this tough

This is where Frank begins to lose hope, not only for the trial, but for justice for all African Americans in America. Due to the Puerto Rican women's small breakdown, the whole trial has to be postponed. Hence, Frank has to find another solution to free Fonny. He meets up with Joseph for a drink, and together they come to a conclusion that secretly stealing money from their work will help pay for Fonny’s lawyer and legal fees. Frank tells Fonny to let him “worry about that”. I got more experience” (83). From the inside of prison, there is nothing Fonny can do but trust his father and patiently wait. This plan is successful until he is eventually caught by his employer, and consequently, fired from his job. Once Frank gets caught, he realizes that there is really no way out as he is now unemployed, with no money, and will most likely be immediately imprisoned for stealing as a black man. This moment of comprehension is what leads him to end his life, where all hope built up is suddenly overshadowed by his powerful