In James Baldwin's essay "Notes of a Native Son" he tries to show how his father has affected his life. Baldwin does not think that his father will or has any effect on his life. It is not until after his father dies that Baldwin realizes what his father had continually told him is actually be true. Baldwin's relationship with his father is very similar to most child parent relationship. Children often think that their parents know nothing and it is not until something actually happens that proves the parents are right that the children realize how erroneous they had been.

Baldwin's representation of his father while his father is alive is that of total detestation towards him and his ideas. Most of Baldwin's memories of his father are bad ones: "I could see him, sitting at the window, locked up in his terrors' hating and fearing every...