In James Baldwin’s novel Go Tell It on the Mountain, The Grimes’ family’s name holds a physical and symbolic meaning throughout the novel. The family resides in a filthy apartment in Harlem: “John hated sweeping this carpet, for the dust rose, clogging his nose and sticking to his sweaty skin…” (Baldwin 24). It also serves a breeding place for roaches and other insects. No matter how much John tries to clean, the apartment remains dirty. Neither John nor the rest of his family can escape this dirt that consumes them. This description coincides with their last name Grimes. Their name is presented with much irony. Gabriel portrays himself as a servant of the Lord. A radical preacher who urges for sinners to seek forgiveness so they can be whole.
