My Dungeon Shook

by James Baldwin

Start Free Trial

Student Question

Why does James Baldwin say his grandfather was defeated before he died in "My Dungeon Shook"?

Quick answer:

James Baldwin tells his nephew not to believe what people tell him about himself. He must form his own opinions and find out for himself what kind of person he is. James Baldwin wrote "My Dungeon Shook — Letter to my Nephew on the One Hundredth Anniversary of the Emancipation" in order to warn his nephew about the dangers that he will face as a black man in America. To do this, James Baldwin recalls the experiences that he had when he was younger and shares them with his nephew so that they can be avoided. Baldwin's piece is an open letter to his thirteen-year-old nephew describing how difficult it was being a black man in America. The title "My Dungeon Shook"

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

According to James Baldwin, his grandfather was defeated long before he died because he believed what white people said about him was true.

Other people's perceptions of his grandfather tore him down and changed who he was. Baldwin says that perhaps this belief is why his grandfather was a holy man. But he cautions his nephew that neither he nor his father are holy in any way. He says they're the kind of people who moved to the "cities of destruction," as Frazier called them.

Baldwin mentions his grandfather in order to caution his nephew against being like him. He warns him of how white people will think of him. To avoid the same destruction, his nephew cannot believe or become what they say he is. He says that society decided that, because he was black, he was a worthless human being whose ambitions must be limited.

He tells his nephew that, instead, he has to be his own man and decide what kind of person he wants to be, without outside interference. He tells him:

Take no one's word for anything, including mine—but trust your experience.

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Approved by eNotes Editorial