Wicked Rockpile

Baldwin’s point in The Rockpile centers around the violence found in Harlem, especially amongst the youth, but speaks mainly on his cynical view of religion and the wickedness that permeates even the most “righteous” people in the neighborhood. The violence in the neighborhood is acted out upon a mystical rockpile, in which many of the neighborhood boys “play” on (essentially all they do is fight each other). Baldwin critiques Christianity in this story by painting a very negative picture of the religion, mainly through Sister McCandless and Gabriel, the protagonist’s father, who is a Reverend. 

The story starts out with a description of the rockpile. The boys are told the rockpile is the center of the earth, and if removed, the subway cars would fly away killing all the passengers. Since the sole purpose of the rockpile is essentially a battleground, it seems as if Baldwin is implying that violence (or evil) is the center of the earth, or center of the community in which this story takes place, Harlem. Baldwin is critiquing the community by saying that violence (or evil) is at the center of everything and is a problem stemming from and effecting even the youth of the community. It is interesting that the narrator explains, “Roy felt it to be his right.... to play there, [the rockpile].” This quote exemplifies that innate attraction to violence Roy feels and strengthens Baldwin’s point on violence.

The first sentence characterizing the people of the community is: “…men and

women, and boys and girls, sinners all…” Balwdin quickly dismisses everyone in the neighborhood as a sinner, even all the boys and girls. The saints are described to have waved “decorously,” implying they act righteous, but it is all a facade. It is described that watching the “righteous” walk down the street make John and Roy “consider, however vacantly, the wickedness of the street, their own latent wickedness in sitting where they say; and made them think of their father…” This is a very complicated thought for such young boys to have, it seems as if this is really Balwdin making his point through the thoughts of the young boys. It is also very interesting how Gabriel, the boy’s father, is recalled through this sight. Gabriel is a local Reverend and is feared amongst the family, as he is the authority figure. However, the fact that he is both a Reverend and feared/thought of as wicked is a great juxtaposition and fortifies Baldwin’s point about the wicked nature of religion.

The arrival of Gabriel is described by the narrator with this sentence: “But until he came to end their freedom, they say…” All the boys did was sit and gaze upon the fights on the rockpile and wickedness that filled the streets, yet the arrival of their father is described as freedom ending. Roy eventually sneaks out and gets hurt fighting on the rockpile. Sister McCandless, who is present once Roy returns to the apartment, says to Elizabeth: “I don’t reckon you going to be at Tarry Service tonight?” This is interesting because Elizabeth is constantly using the word “Lord” and speaking religiously, not to mention her husband is a Reverend at the church. Sister McCandless knows she isn’t going to be at the church service (implying they never go), but one would assume the family would attend, especially after Roy acted out.

Once Gabriel returns home, Elizabeth sticks up for Roy, she stands by his side and gazes at Gabriel. “…She found in his face not fury alone, which would not have surprised her; but hatred so deep…she felt…his longing to witness her perdition.” Perdition is a Christian word referring to state of eternal punishment and damnation which a sinful and unpenitent person experiences after they die. This encapsulates Balwdin’s point on religion. The fact that the Reverend can think such a thing upon a mother, who is doing nothing wrong, merely sticking up for her child is truly barbaric and wicked. 

-Harrison Bard