Write a one paragraph response to this prompt - try to use evidence only from the included passage, but you
may use evidence from other parts of the story as long as it is focused on your thesis. I recommend you use
the following sentence starter to begin your thesis:
"In his short story "The Rockpile", James Baldwin develops the character __ as someone who… (here
you must write your precise inference of that character's complex/conflicted set of values or motivations. I
suggest using one of the following phrases to introduce complexity: "in spite of" or "even though" or "yet" or
"though".
The following excerpt is from James Baldwin’s 1965 short story “The Rockpile”. In this passage, Gabriel
attempts to soothe his injured son Roy and understand how he got hurt. Read the passage carefully. Then, in a
well-written paragraph, analyze how Baldwin uses details to develop either the character of Gabriel or
Elizabeth
(choose one character).
Identify and describe what specific textual details reveal about a character, that character's
perspective, and that character's motives.
Illustrate a sophisticated understanding of a character in the text through an in-depth analysis of direct or
indirect characterization.
Develop a paragraph that includes 1) a claim that requires defense with evidence from the text and 2) the
evidence itself.
Generate a sophisticated defensible thesis that demands nuanced consideration of textual evidence to prove.
Sample Solution