If Beale Street Could Talk

Analyze Tish’s description of her street in New York. How do connotation and imagery contribute to the emotion and conflict inherent to the setting? How does the street change over time? In what ways does it express characterization?

Teaching Suggestion: This Discussion/Analysis Prompt connects to the Personal Connection Prompt in that it also regards the emotion and characterization of a place. Ultimately, students should understand that Baldwin’s writings focus on the space and neighborhood in New York to provide a stark contrast to Fonny’s limited future in the jail cell. Consider encouraging students to make these connections and identify the juxtaposition of these settings.