Question

In “The Rockpile” by James Baldwin, how does the setting influence the way Gabriel and Elizabeth raise their children?

Their distrust causes them to closely monitor their children’s activities.
Their distrust causes them to isolate their children from the neighbors.
Their fear of drowning causes them to protect their children from the river.
Their fear of danger causes them to impose strict rules on their children.

Answer 1

Their fear of danger caused them to impose strict rules on their children.

Answer 2

Their fear of danger causes them to impose strict rules on their children.

Step-by-step explanation:

James Baldwin's short story "The Rockpile" tells the story of how a young family's approaches t their parenting techniques led to the fateful incident of one of their son's injury. The parents Gabriel and Elizabeth's approach of strictly dominating their children's lives had led to the ensuing incident.

The setting of the story is in a house from where the boys can see the 'rockpile' which they are prohibited from ever visiting. From the start of the story, we find the mother telling the boys to "stay away from (the rockpile)". This strict approach resulting from their fear of them coming "home bleeding like a hog every day the Lord sends" causes them to impose strict restrictions on their involvement and interactions with friends.