Extended Essays 2021

RQ: To what extent does Baldwin portray homosexual identity as a cause of destruction in Giovanni’s Room?

heteronormative appearance, he must “leave Giovanni because he makes [David] stink.” (pg. 125). As Giovanni is a representation of David’s own homosexual identity, so must he leave Giovanni in order to deny his homosexuality. Not only does David deny love to Giovanni by leaving their relationship, but he also does this by denying Giovanni’s homosexual identity, and thus denying the very existence of their queer relationship. This denial of love to Giovanni then may be seen to have contributed to his suicidal ideation. He says to David, “I have been alone so long – I do not think I would be able to live if I had to be alone again.” (pg. 98) Therefore, by leaving Giovanni, Giovanni is no longer able to live, and thus this contributes to the idea that the actions of Giovanni leading up to his execution were suicidal in nature.

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