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Source: NPR Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School Teacher Section: No Searchable: YesĬheck out this 1963 Time Magazine cover featuring James Baldwin and read the accompanying cover story, "The Root of the Negro Problem" that features an extensive conversation with Baldwin about race relations. Randall Kenan, who edited The Cross of Redemption, a collection of Baldwin's essays, speeches and articles, talks to NPR's Steve Inskeep about Baldwin's complicated identity - and how his work challenged black and white readers alike. Source: Yale Intended Audience: General Reading Level: N/A Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes (click on "see all images" under the picture of Baldwin.) You can view early drafts of Go Tell It On the Mountain and some of Baldwin's correspondence at this site. James Baldwin: Early Manuscripts and Letters Source: African American Literature Book Club Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes This site features biographical information and brief overviews of some of his works as well as embedded You Tube videos featuring the author. James Baldwin was an active figure in the Civil Rights Movement. Source: Books and Writers Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School Teacher Section: No Searchable: No Learn more about the author at this site that features biographical information. James Baldwin had his first story published in a church newspaper when he was 12. Source: Library of Congress Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No Searchable: No You can learn more at this site that features a brief biography of the writer. Source: Library of Congress Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: Yesīaldwin was the eldest of nine children. You can learn more about Baldwin and access some primary source materials about Baldwin and the Harlem Renaissance at this site. James Baldwin was heavily influenced by his middle school-French teacher, poet Countee Cullen. Source: PBS Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: Yes This companion site to an AMERICAN MASTERS episode about the author features biographical information and an interview with the filmmaker. Source: C-Span Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: YesĪt 18 Baldwin took a job working for the New Jersey railroad. This site features biographical information as well as video discussions of the authors work and life. In "The Rockpile," which takes place in Depression-era Harlem, John, the illegitimate son of Elizabeth Grimes, is unable to stop his brother, Roy, from getting into a fight on a rockpile with some other African-American boys.Writers like Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou and Amiri Baraka all cite Baldwin as an important influence. The rockpile is a foundation that keeps many people safe but also dangerous if tampered.Īdditionally, why is the Rockpile so tempting for Roy? (a) The rockpile is so tempting to Roy because he have seen others guy fight right there and some's of they are his friends.
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What represents the rockpile is that it tags with freedom and danger that comes along with a price that must be paid. Keeping this in view, what does the Rockpile symbolize?
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The consistent themes in Baldwin's fiction, including personal identity, racial struggle, and the role of religion in daily life are present in "The Rockpile." Baldwin centers the story on the Rockpile, which represents stability and fixture but also a great temptation to the young protagonist of the story, Roy.
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