Question

Choose a symbol from Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry and explain how its meaning changes.

Answer 1

It changes from a symbol of hope to a symbol of desperation. It changes from a symbol of freedom to a symbol of captivity.

Weather
Weather, especially thunder, often plays a symbolic role in the book, drawing attention during important scenes and events. For example, it’s raining heavily when the school bus forces the children to jump into a muddy.

Answer 2

One symbol from Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is the symbol of the "lynched man." This symbol represents the violence and injustice faced by African Americans during the time period of the novel, specifically in the form of lynchings. At first, the lynched man symbolizes fear and oppression for the characters in the novel, as they witness the hanging of a black man and understand the danger that they are all at risk of facing. However, as the novel progresses and the characters become more aware of their own strength and resilience, the lynched man symbol also becomes a symbol of resistance and defiance. The characters, particularly Cassie and her family, begin to actively fight against the injustices they face, and the lynched man becomes a symbol of their determination to stand up for their rights and dignity. In this way, the meaning of the lynched man symbol shifts from one of fear and oppression to one of strength and empowerment.