Final answer:
After James Baldwin's stepfather died in 1943, Baldwin advanced his literary career, moved to Greenwich Village, and became a key figure in the American Civil Rights movement. His works addressed complex themes of race and sexuality and helped him become the most influential 20th century's American writers.
Step-by-step explanation:
After the death of James Baldwin's stepfather in 1943, young Baldwin experienced a transformative period in his life that would influence his writings and advocacy. Baldwin's stepfather died on a tumultuous day that coincided with Baldwin's nineteenth birthday, the birth of his youngest brother, and the Harlem Riot. This convergence of events is detailed in Baldwin's essay, "Notes on a Native Son."
Baldwin went on to become a distinguished voice in the discourse on race and sexuality, through his novels and essays, and despite living in France for much of his life, he was a significant figure in the American Civil Rights movement.
Baldwin's literary career flourished following his stepfather's death, as he moved to Greenwich Village and immersed himself in an artistic community, becoming friends with prominent figures like Marlon Brando and Richard Wright. Wright's assistance led to Baldwin receiving the Eugene Saxton fellowship, which further helped establish his career as a writer.
Baldwin's works, such as "Go Tell It on the Mountain," "Notes on a Native Son," and "Giovanni's Room" addressed complex themes of race, sexuality, and identity, making him one of the most influential American writers of the 20th century.