Salvific Manhood: James Baldwin's Novelization of Male Intimacy

Ernest L. Gibson III offers a thematically daring and theoretically provocative way to understand the hidden connections between James Baldwin’s novels. Gibson presents a queering of salvation, a nuanced approach that views redemption through the lenses of gender and sexuality.
 

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 246 pages
Publication date: 05 October 2021
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press

Salvific Manhood delves into the profound impact of male intimacy and vulnerability in the novels of James Baldwin, emphasizing the dualistic nature of manhood and masculinity, which possesses the potential for both tragedy and salvation. In his book, Ernest L. Gibson III sheds light on the intricate emotional dilemmas faced by Baldwin's male characters across their diverse lives, relationships, and experiences. By offering a fresh and thought-provoking perspective, Salvific Manhood explores the hidden connections between Baldwin's works, challenging traditional notions of salvation and offering a nuanced understanding that incorporates gender and sexuality.

The book delves into the origins of fraternal crises, tracing their roots to sociopolitical forces and conditions. It proposes a notion of a spatiality of manhood, where spaces between men are erased through expressions of intimacy and love. Positioned at the crossroads of literary criticism, queer studies, and male studies, Gibson critically examines Baldwin's exploration of familial love, American identity, suicide, art, incarceration, and memory. Through the lens of salvific manhood, Gibson amplifies the significance of these themes, shedding light on the complexities of African American manhood and American identity.

Salvific Manhood ultimately invites readers to reexamine Baldwin's novels through a new lens, proposing innovative theories that deepen our understanding of the intricacies of African American manhood and American identity. It recognizes that within the realm of tragedy, there exists the possibility of salvation, offering a transformative perspective on the human experience.

Weight: 380g
Dimension: 151 x 228 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496229052