The Outing (short story)

"The Outing" is a 1965 short story by James Baldwin, taken from the short story collection, "Going to Meet the Man".

Plot introduction

On the Fourth of July, parishioners are having a church outing (this year, a boat trip up the Hudson River up to Bear Mountain).

Plot summary

Father James tells his son Roy to be good, and the latter replies that he need not reprimand him, thus making his father angry. Everyone is talking about sin and salvation, while the boys are only interested in Sylvia, for whom they have bought a present. There is then a church ceremony on the boat, with an ironic digression on the Bible being based on white symbolism. Later, the boys are waiting for Sylvia to be alone so they can give her her present. David finally manages to do so, and she demands that he go to the forthcoming revival church ceremonies and go through the salvation process. Johnnie joins David and Roy at the riverside, but it is time for them to leave. David is left in a wavering mode.

Characters

*Gabriel James, a.k.a. Father James.
*Johnnie
*Lois, Johnnie's nine-year-old sister.
*Roy
*Mrs Jackson, David and Lorraine's mother.
*David Jackson, John and Roy's friend
*Lorraine, David's elder sister.
*Sister McCandless
*Sylvia
*Sister Daniels, Sylvia's mother.
*Brother Elisha
*Reverend Peters

Main themes

*Adolescence and puberty.
*Religious faith in the African-American community.