Symbols and Themes

Major themes in the novel, Go Tell It in the Mountain, include identity, duty, responsibility, God, religion, and race.

Harlem serves as a symbol of poverty.

Spiritual hymns serve as a symbol of of church life, spiritual purity.

Other types of music, jazz and blues, are seen as a symbol of sin and immorality.

John's birthday is a symbol of young adulthood.... his 14th birthday.

Mountains are a symbol of the difficult path to the holy life.

The threshing floor is a symbol of God's judgement.