Seemingly a memoir about a young black boy and his white mother, James McBride is able to make The Color of Water so much more. He does this by having a whole hidden meaning behind his work. Whilst telling their stories he implies messages and lessons that the reader may relate and use in their own life. He does this using symbolism in many aspects of the story. In his novel, The Color of Water, James Mcbride adds depth and meaning to he and his mother’s stories by using symbols, such as his mother bicycle, birds, and the corner, to convey ideas of larger significance. Throughout his life, James knew his mother was different. As a child, this was based solely on the color of her skin, being the only white person in his black neighborhood.