Giovanni

Goldie Barajas

English 15 Literature & Society

3/24/11

Giovanni

            In the novel Giovanni’s Room, by James Baldwin, the narrator David is struggling in finding himself while being “caught between desire and conventional morality.” It is the 1950’s and he lives in Paris, France, the city that would face him face to face with a man that would become one of his love affairs. A man named Giovanni. Giovanni is a bar tender at Guillaume‘s bar. In that bar is where Giovanni and David meet. After having some drinks and closing the bar Giovanni, David, Guillaume, and Jacques head up to Les Halles to have breakfast the following day. The four of them end up having breakfast in the bar Giovanni previously worked in. Nevertheless, Giovanni’s interaction with David and his dialogue in this bar is what makes it possible for me, as a reader, to learn about Giovanni and grasp an impression of him.

            As reading, Part 1, Chapter 3 of this novel, I found out that Giovanni is not a French citizen and that he indeed has used Guillaume for his personal benefit. Guillaume is the owner of the bar in which Giovanni currently works. But before Giovanni had this job he had nothing. He was unemployed and without a carte de travail, a work permit required to non-citizens in order to work in France. Giovanni, on page 61 of the novel, clearly states that the only reason he attended super with Guillaume a few days later, after meeting him in a cinema, was because“ I had not eaten for a long time…dinner was awful, of course…but by this time I knew he owned a bar and was a French citizen. I am not and I had no job and no carte de travail. So I saw that he could be useful.” Giovanni has only used Guillaume and nothing more. He indeed tolerates Guillaume’s dramatic attitude just to keep his job, and his carte de travail. I know this because he tells David that Guillaume, “is really not a man at all, I do not know what he is, he is horrible. But I will keep my carte de travail…and I do now have a job, which pays very well.”  This showing that his relationship with Guillaume is not based on real friendship but on simple interest.

            In addition, reading this information revealed to me Giovanni’s value for his job, work permit, and money.  He values this so much that he is willing to put up with Guillaume’s attitude that often times involves Guillaume making up something to get mad at Giovanni about. Nevertheless, these dialogues also made me have the impression that Giovanni is a very astute man that uses people in order to obtain what he wants.

            Not only does Giovanni use Guillaume for his own personal benefit but he manages to have sex with David in his room. He flirts with David from the very moment they meet and after leaving the bar he insists on David accompanying him to his place. He gives David many reasons why he shouldn’t go back to his hotel. One of these reasons is as Giovanni says, “Come. I am sure that I am much prettier than your wallpaper-or your concierge. I will smile at you. They will not.” David keeps on giving Giovanni excuses not to go with him but at last Giovanni convinces him  by saying, “It is you who are vache, to want to leave me alone in this lonely place when you know that I am far too drunk to reach home unaided.” Giovanni here shows his persistence and self-confidence, which I see as two character traits of his. I conclude this because although David is giving him many excuses not go to his place, Giovanni does not give up and keeps on insisting. Being very self-confident that at the end David will end up saying yes. In addition, tolerance can also be another character trait of his because as mentioned before he tolerates Guillaume’s absurd behavior all the time.

            Furthermore, I can describe Giovanni as an outgoing, determined, persistent, self-confident man from what I have read in Part 1, Chapter 3. As reading this chapter, I never saw Giovanni doubtful or conflicted by anything. He portrays himself in a very optimistic manner with such enthusiasm that makes me, as a reader, feel joyful and positive about life. He makes me want to visit France even more.