Homosexuality
Eric is the red headed ex lover of Rufus, who flees to Paris in order to cope from their horrendous break up. In Paris, he discovers himself in a young French man named Yves. Before he uncovers the genuine love he has for young Yves, he discusses his encounters with men in the past. In his first physical encounter with a man, Eric discusses his growth in character from this experience. In the novel he describes this moment saying, "What had always been hidden was to him, that day, revealed and it did not matter that, fifteen years later, he sat in an armchair [...] still struggling to find the grace which would allow him to bear that revelation. For the meaning of revelation is that what is revealed is true, and must be borne" (Baldwin 206). His development in this moment defines his character, in that he is not afraid to reveal the truth. Eric is, in fact, the only character in the novel that admits to his mistakes and calmly accepts the reality of situations.