James Baldwin, A Stranger in the Village Oral Exam

Where does the story take place?

A small village in Switzerland 

Why was Baldwin told he’d be a “sight”?

Baldwin was told he'd be a "sight" because of his race, as the villagers had rarely seen a Black person, making him an object of curiosity.

Why is the village inaccessible? (Give 4 examples)

Surrounded by mountains, covered in ice/snow, far from cities, only 600 residents, no bank/library/theater.

Why must Black people be “pleasant”?

Black people must be "pleasant" to counteract negative stereotypes and reduce the discomfort of white individuals in social situations, as a means of survival in a racially prejudiced society.

How did Baldwin react to being called “Neger”?

Kids weren’t hostile, but he felt objectified — like a “living wonder.

What does “People are trapped in history…” mean?

Both Baldwin and the villagers carry racial history that shapes how they see each other.

What does “authority I shall never have” mean?

Villagers belong through heritage; Baldwin is a “suspect latecomer” who disrupts their idea of sameness.

Finish the quote: “Rage cannot be hidden…”

“…it can only be dissembled.” Rage from injustice is masked, not erased.

Finish the quote: “The root function of language is…”

“…to control the universe by describing it.”

What is white supremacy, according to Baldwin?

The belief that white men created civilization and define what counts as culture.

What does Chartres cathedral mean to Baldwin vs. the villagers?

To them, it’s heritage. To him, it’s beautiful but not his — he’s outside their tradition.

How does the essay end?

Baldwin says America’s racial history created a new Black and white identity. The world is “white no longer.”