The Discovery of What It Means to Be an American

E343578

"The Discovery of What It Means to Be an American" is an essay by James Baldwin that reflects on national identity, race, and belonging, particularly through his experiences living abroad.

All labels observed (2)

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Statements (47)

Predicate Object
instanceOf essay
literary work
author James Baldwin
countryOfOrigin United States of America
surface form: United States
discusses contrast between America and Europe
experience of living abroad
freedom and responsibility of the writer
racial dynamics in the United States
the condition of the American artist
the outsider’s perspective
field African American studies
American studies
essay studies
literary criticism
focusesOn James Baldwin’s personal experiences
self-discovery through travel
the meaning of citizenship
the relationship between race and nationality
genre nonfiction
personal essay
hasSubject Americans in Europe
Black Americans
surface form: Black Americans abroad

cultural comparison
identity formation
social criticism
isAbout how distance clarifies national identity
the complexities of being Black and American
what distinguishes Americans from Europeans
language English
literaryMovement African-American literature
American literature
mainTheme American identity
belonging
cultural identity
exile
national identity
race
the African American experience
the writer’s role in society
narrativePerspective first person
period 20th century
setting Europe
France
Switzerland
tone analytical
autobiographical
reflective

How these facts were elicited

Referenced by (2)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Nobody Knows My Name hasEssay The Discovery of What It Means to Be an American
Nobody Knows My Name: More Notes of a Native Son hasPart The Discovery of What It Means to Be an American
this entity surface form: “The Discovery of What It Means to Be an American” (essay)