Go Tell It on the Mountain

Throughout the novel, the characters struggle with the dichotomy of private and public religion, specifically the religion they exhibit to their peers versus the spiritual beliefs they carry internally. Consider how this internal/external dichotomy manifests as a duality of Religious Piety and Hypocrisy. In which ways does this theme in the novel link to your answer from the Personal Connection Prompt?

Teaching Suggestion: This Discussion/Analysis Prompt encourages students to apply their understanding of hypocrisy to the novel’s content. In particular, many of the characters grapple with their religious beliefs and decisions; for many of the characters, their hypocritical actions are linked to Sexuality and Shame related to pre-marital/non-heterosexual sexual urges and experiences. Furthermore, the lack of empathy among characters for acting on urges they condemn religiously leads to Racism and Generational Trauma, as characters continue to make the same mistakes as their ancestors and, as a result, feel shame for their inadequacy. This prompt is an excellent opportunity to make connections between all three themes of the novel.