Question

How does the boy’s drowning in the Harlem River contribute to the symbolism of the setting in “The Rockpile” by James Baldwin?

Answer 1

The drowning of the boy in the river of Harlem symbolizes the dangers of life in Harlem, contributing to the set up in The Rockpile by James Baldwin

Answer : Option D

Explanation:

The natural rock pile which is situated near the Harlem river unusually near the residential New York City neighborhood. The story in this part represents an exposition of how "reckless" local boys' disobedience killed one neighborhood boy child.

The boy drowned in the river of the Harlem signifies the dangerous nature of life in Harlem cause that it can not serve as the universal human experience and neither the isolation of the community is symbolized nor the connection to society at all.