Lead Thou me On by James Baldwin
The narrative revolves around a young black man's journey to self-discovery and identity formation. He grapples with the complexities of racism, societal expectations, and his own desires. The story explores themes of alienation, disillusionment, and the struggle for authenticity in a world that seeks to constrain him.
By James Baldwin · First published 1958 · Genre: Poetry, Religious, Inspirational · 163 words
First lines
Lead, kindly light, amid the encircling gloom, Lead thou me on! The night is dark, and I am far from home, -- Lead thou me on! Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see The distant scene, -- one step enough for me.
I was not ever thus, nor prayed that thou Shouldst lead me on. I loved to choose and see my path, but now Lead thou me on! I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears, Pride ruled my will: remember not past years.
So long thy power hath blessed me, sure it still Will lead me on, O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till The night is gone; And with the morn those angel faces smile Which I have loved long since, and lost a while. _John Henry Newman._
What this Textopian page supports
Lead Thou me On is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Baldwin, dated 1958 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: James Baldwin
- Date: 1958 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Religious, Inspirational, Philosophical
- Length: 163 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Lead Thou me On by James Baldwin
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form, with a focus on rhythm and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Religious — The themes of divine guidance and spiritual reflection are central to the text, aligning with religious literature.
- Inspirational — The text conveys a message of hope and perseverance, common in inspirational works.
- Philosophical — The exploration of existential themes and introspection suggests a philosophical genre.
Tags
American Literature · Coming-of-Age Story · Faith and Doubt · Identity Crisis · Inner Turmoil · Moral Dilemma · Psychological Insight · Social Commentary · Spiritual Quest · Youthful Rebellion · Existentialism · Philosophical Themes