Compare and contrast the Hunt and River families. How does the function or dysfunction of each family impact the characters in the novel?

Consider the different kinds of music that appear in the novel. How does this music contribute to Baldwin’s representation of African American culture, the setting, and the characterization?

Discuss the role of Black spirituality in the lives of the characters. Why does Tish believe that walking into the Tombs is “just like walking into church” (23)?