Symbolism In Ghost Boys By Jewell Parker Rhodes

According to statista, that in 2021 around 300-500 African Americans were killed by police and that it jumped higher in 2022 to 400-600? The critical literary novel Ghost Boys, by Jewell Parker Rhodes takes place in a Chicago neighborhood. Jerome is outside after school playing with his toy gun his friend Carlos gave him, when he is suddenly shot by police offers. The community is in disbelief and they are upset about Jerome's death. Ghost Boys by Rhodes incorporates symbolism, flashbacks and flashforwards, tone, as author craft moves in the novel.

The most dominant author’s craft move Rhodes makes is symbolism. It should be noted that the author has a bunch of symbolism in this book. At first symbolism cant be confusing but one starts to understand after it starts to directly state it. Early in the book she states “Jerome Rodger, 12, shot at abanded Green Street lot. Officer says, “ He had a gun.” This doesn't directly show symbolism but it give examples on how the police represent fear. Furthermore another example of symbolism is when Jerome and Emmitt Till are talking to Sarah, and Jerome opens a book a Peter Pan book and reads a page it states that “All children, except one, grow up.” This represents youth and the fear of growing up but Emmitt and Jerome will never grow up.

One example of this is after Jerome gets shot we hear mom come into the picture and the book states “ Ma’s running, she’s wailing.” This shows tone because instead of saying Ma’s sad it expresses it more and makes it stand out. Another example of tone in this book is when shorty after Pop is in the apartment and says “Murdering my boy,” Pop’s fist slams the wall. The drywall cracks. This shows tone because they made it sound real and made it more touching because instead of kill they used murder or when it says slam he could have used hit but she made it more