The title of the piece” Letter to My Nephew” should imply that the audience is James’s uncle, James. But, in fact, I think that the audience is in fact much more broad then just his nephew. He is speaking to the entire younger generation, as an older person with the thoughts and experiences and opinions that no one in this new generation would have. He is speaking as a voice from his generation, trying to impart a message into his nephew, and the people of his generation.

The exigence of this piece falls in with it’s kairos, the timing of when it was written and published. It’s the year 1963, exactly one hundred years since the emancipation proclamation. And as Baldwin points out, although that should imply 100 years of freedom, it unfortunately does not.

Baldwin speaks (writes) with passion as he tries to make many arguments to his nephew. One such argument is that he should not fall to being a victim, and he should not allow stereotypes and society to get to him. The only way he can, and will be defeated, is if he lets society’s insults actually insult him. But if he is strong enough, he can allow himself not to be taken down by that.

Baldwin also tries displaying the message that his nephew, and his generation, should find room in their hearts in order to forgive, and accept the White people with compassion. Because while the lack of compassion that they have for the Black community may have been the start of the tension and problems, the lack of compassion and forgiveness that the Black community has back is preventing that tension and problems from ever being solved.

Baldwin made very good use of metaphors in this piece, one which I found very strong, was when his nephew was born and he said the world looked Black to him. This could be interpreted as a world with problems, a world with darkness, but it could also be interpreted as a world of only Black people, and no integration and acceptance.

As this is a very emotional subject, Baldwin definitely uses Pathos to play to the emotions of the readers, and he also uses his own emotions greatly. Ethos also comes into play, because the writer actually lived through the times which he is talking about, and has more experience than the generation which he is addressing, he is showing his credibility.