Seminar paper from the year 2003 in the subject American Studies - Literature, grade: 1, University of South Carolina, course: 20th Century African American Literature, language: English, abstract: Hatred of God comes from pride. It is contrary to the love of God . I chosethis particular assertion of the Catholic Church because it serves adequately as an introduction to my following argument. If this statement holds true, what can one make of Gabriels attitude in James Baldwins novel Go tell it on the Mountain? Gabriel although he himself believes he has a clean conscience before God has sinned. His sin is pride, which is one of theseven cardinal sins. In his own opinion, Gabriel has become clean before God, he has been forgiven for his sins (215). He goes even further when he says that he considers himself to be the Lords anointed. How can he be so sure?In my paper I will try to mainly discuss Gabriels, Johns, and Elizabeths proud emotions. I will show what it is they are proud of and what they have and do not have in common. Furthermore, I will cover some of the biblical symbolism in Baldwins novel and question whether all pride is necessarily sinful or if there are reasonable justifications. In any respect, Gabriel is very judgmental. He judges people around him, for instance his sister Florence when he says, she so proud the Lord going to bring her low one day or Esther, for whom he eventually loses all respect (125). Furthermore,he chooses to go the easy way when he has helpful explanations handy in any situation. When his son Roy gets stabbed by white people, it of course is the white peoples fault: This is what white folks does to niggers Roys behavior is explained by the fact that he has to suffer for the sins his mother has committed in the past (111). When Gabriel has an affair with Esther - according to Gabriel - he cannot be blamed for committing adultery. After all, Gabriel assumed that Satan tempted him to fall (130). By saying that, Gabriel gives away all responsibility for his own actions. In his ownaccord, he is merely a poor, weak vessel in the hands of the Lord. [...]