Throughout the text, James Baldwin references a variety of different passages and phrases from the Bible. These appear both before, during and after he describes his unique experiences with the Christian church. As a writing topic, focus on why James Baldwin uses these unique references throughout the text. What purpose do they serve the reader and how do they help clarify and navigate through the text?
Instead of beginning the text with a traditional introduction, James Baldwin decides to begin his book with a personal letter to his nephew. Why does James Baldwin use this instead of a regular introduction? What role does the personal note play with respect to the rest of the text? Does starting a text in an unconventional way distract the reader or make the text stand out as a unique piece of literature?
Self-righteousness is a topic that is consistently brought up throughout "The Fire Next Time." James Baldwin is particularly critical of it and the effect it has on religious leaders in both the Christian and Muslim church. What is Baldwin's main critique of self-righteousness? Is Baldwin guilty of showcasing his own self-righteousness in conveying his specific views denouncing these religious leaders? How does self-righteousness fit within the narrative of the text itself?
Throughout the text there are characters that draw parallels to James Baldwin's real-life father. Try writing an essay that ties in all of the different characters and how they are similar and different to James Baldwin's father. In addition to all of the characters, there is a specific group of characters in the book that align with James Baldwin's father's religious view. Have the essay discuss these two different aspects of his father's personality.