Go Tell It on the Mountain

The story’s perspective switches to Florence as she enters her brother Gabriel’s church for the first time. She believes that Gabriel is “glad to see” (38) that she has come but only because her presence suggests that she is suffering in some fashion. Florence is able to overcome her pride in front of her brother. She sings and kneels with the rest of the congregation in front of Gabriel’s altar. Florence thinks about the events in her life that have led to this moment. Her mother tried to bring her to her brother’s church many years ago, but she always refused. However, she has recently become worried about the state of her soul. Aged 60, she is concerned that she must set her house in order. Her recent ill health has made her fear death, and she wants to set everything in order in case she dies.

The church service prompts Florence to reflect on her life. She remembers her mother leading the family in a prayer. At the time, Gabriel’s first wife Deborah was suffering. A group of white men raped Deborah, and the family prayed for her recovery and to save them from “all the other white men” who are threatening violence against their African American neighbors (40).