Predjudice: A Catalyst for Isolation

The French philosopher, Voltaire, once said, “Prejudices are what fools use for reason.” One cannot base reality on the inconsistent patterns of stereotypes. Also, with the addition of stubborn pride, altering this false reality is nearly impossible. David, the main character of Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin, fails to realize this. Because of David allows stereotypes to dictate his judgment, he rejects his impurities, resorts to self-deception, and unsuccessfully attempts contradictory goals, which ultimately lead to his isolation.

In hopes to find familiarity and safety, David creates stereotypes for those without innocence. Despite the consistency of stereotypes, “People invent categories to feel safe. White people invented black people to give white people identity … Straight cats invented faggots so they can sleep with them without being faggots themselves” (Bloom 132). Because David feels inferior as a homosexual stripped of his innocence, he creates a stereotype that is substandard to his own immoral acts of homosexuality. By defining what is impure relative the pure qualities