Caretaker: Analogy of Society and Religion

A symbol that I have noticed lies in the character of the Caretaker. This old, meticulous woman systematically studies not only the rooms in which David lives, but also the inner sanctities of his soul. In my opinion, Baldwin utilized this character to be a representation of both the societal and religion expectations that David was to meet. She initially makes it know that entire town (legitimizing David's personal paranoia) has been watching him, stating that "in a small village almost every move is made under the village's collective eye and ear" (67). The next move that this outwardly sweet and secretly torturous symbol makes is to speak of the subject that David quarrels with most, his sexuality. She does not speak of his secretive sexual tendencies with men, rather she instructs David to "go and find yourself another woman, a good woman, and get married, and have babies" (68). Following her patronizing advice concerning women, she speaks of how he should pray and make religious observances.

What appealed to me about this encounter was that although she spoke in a motherly and caring fashion, it did not have this response in David. This tirade was directed at issues that were dearest to David, and that Baldwin intended to reveal how society is imposing generic regulations on people. And if these regulations were disrupted, it became an issue of religion. It appears that if the societal pressures to conform were not powerful enough to regulate actions, religion would act as a backing, ensuring total compliance.