The Dangers of the Rockpile

           One idea that a reader can grasp is that the setting and the surrounding environment play a vital role in the development and the symbolism of a story. In "The Rockpile,” James Baldwin recounts the dynamic relationship between the members of an African-American family living in Harlem in the age of the Civil War Movement. The story is centered on an unusual rock formation called a rockpile, which despite its unusualness is a natural component in the characters' environment. The environment itself is dangerous, with various risks, such as the drowning of a little boy in a river near the famed rockpile. The rockpile is described as being mysterious with the origins of it unknown. To what extent does the rockpile play in the story? A key motif in the story is the violence and corruption - through the characters' relationships and personalities and the various fights that tend to erupt between school-age children.  Perhaps the initial observation about the dangers of the rockpile is parallel to the dangers and violence of the characters' lives. 

From the start, the children, John and Roy, are reprimanded to stay away from the rockpile. Despite their mother’s constant berating, curiosity overruled morality and Roy was injured from a rockpile fight with a gang.  Shortly afterwards, the family prepares for Gabriel’s arrival with apprehension and nervousness. Elizabeth worries about Roy’s scar and Sister McCandless is certain Gabriel would blow things out of proportion. Gabriel has a negative influence on his family, as John is described as “looking at his father like rabbits standing so paralyzed before the barking dog.” Elizabeth is often verbally abused by Gabriel but finally stands up to him by protecting John from being wrongfully accused and from a beating.  This has an adverse effect however, as it infuriated him, having a deep hatred and a malevolent feeling. Elizabeth is defeated as she tells John to pick up his father’s lunchbox and ultimately, it is inferred that John will immediately face a beating as he picked up the lunchbox, bending his head near the toe of his father’s heavy shoe.

Through Elizabeth’s thoughts, the narrator states, “she knew he [Roy] wasn’t sleeping; he wished to delay until the last possible moment any contact with his father (157).” John isn’t the only one prone to the abuse of his father.  It makes people wonder what caused Gabriel’s violent personality. Does the environment affect people’s perceptions? Ironically, Gabriel is a reverend – a religious figure associated with bringing goodness in the world. Instead of Gabriel fitting the mold of the religious lifestyle, he is an abusive hotheaded father who is feared by his family.

Baldwin through “The Rockpile” elaborated on how setting influences the story through the depiction of a family that has an abusive father, which formed strained relationships and favoritism. Through this, violence outside of the house is synonymous to violence in the household.  The rockpile symbolizes the dangers of these worlds. Is the rockpile influencing people's temperaments?