The Rockpiles
We'll read James Baldwin's short story " The Rockpiles" in class together.
Pre-Reading | Reading Activities | After -Reading |
1. Use google.com or any other search engine to look up James Baldwin and report back what you have found about the following( Try to summarize and paraphrase the information you read)-
| James Baldwin | Milestones in his Life | Major Literary Works | Major Themes in his Works | Harlem of his Time |
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2. What do you expect to read from his short story based on the title "The Rockpiles" and your knowledge about the author?
Read aloud
Personal Response
How did you react to the ending of the story?
Analyzing Literature
Recall
1.What was the rock pile? What usually happened on the rockpile?
2.In what ways does the family in the story see themselves as different from others in the neighborhood?
3.What does Roy decide to do that he should not do? What is Johns emotions toward his reaction? What happens to Roy?
4.What important fact is revealed about the father just before he arrives?
5.Describe the father's changing emotions toward his wife
Interpret
6.Why might the rockpile seem to call out to Roy. Why might John not be tempted by the rockpile?
7.How, in your opinion, does the difference between John and Roy's family and and others affect the brothers' attitudes toward the rockpile? Toward the world outside their family?
8.Do you think john can be blamed for what has happen to Roy?
9.Why, do you think, do Johns mother and father disagree over weather john can be blamed for what happens to his brother?
10. Do you think the conflict between the father and mother is resolved by the end of the story? Explain.
Evaluate and Connect
11. The author does not tell the reader an important fact about the father until well into the story. Why do you think the author uses the tactic and what affect did it have on you as a reader?
12.Using foreshadowing a writer provides hints to something that will occur later in the story. In your opinion, what event or events are foreshadowing in this story? What effect does this foreshadowing have on the story? Explain, using details from the selection.
13. What do you think the rockpile symbolizes? Explain
14. How important is the setting (see page R14) to the story? What picture of life does author create with his setting?
15. Think about your response to the Focus Activity on page 864. How does John's experience compare with the one you described?
Homework #5: Do one of the following:
1. Write About Literature
Identify Conflict The plot of "The Rockpile" includes several conflicts. Remember that conflicts can be external or internal. Conflicts exist when a character struggles with another person, with himself or herself, with nature, with society, or with fate. Write a one-page analysis of conflicts in this story, describing each conflict and telling how it affects the outcome of the story.
2. Personal Writing
Your Own "Rockpile" Was there a "rockpile" in your childhood, or at least something like it? It is the source of good memories, bad memories, or a mixture of both? In your jour journal, describe the "rockpile" in your own past. Tell how it helped make you the person you are today.
3. Literature Groups
Defend Yourself In your group, discuss how each character in the story might explain or defend his or her actions. For example, how might John explain why he did not tell his mother that Roy has gone to the rockpile? How might the father explain his reactions against Roy, John, and Elizabeth? Compile a list of your group's explanations and compare it with lists from other groups.
4. Internet Connection
Harlem on the Web Use you research skills to locate four or more Web sites that present a picture of Harlem in the 1930s-what it looked like and what was going on there. Record each address, visit the site, and write a summary of the information that can be found there.
5. Performing
Later That Day With a partner, write a conversation that might have occurred later on the same day between John and Roy. What might they have spoken about? What attitudes might they have had toward each other, toward the "rockpile" event, or toward their parent's reactions? Practice reading the conversation dramatically; then, when you are ready, perform it for the class.
Literary Elements
Use the online literary term glossary to help you understand the terms and then identify examples of each literary element in the story.
Foil/Conflict/Setting/Foreshadowing
Discuss: Why can we say that this short story is about self-identity?
HW # 8: In what ways did his personal life affect his writing the short story "The Rockpiles"? Do research and find the facts in Baldwin's life that are vividly portrayed in his writing.