The Rockpile

“This, touching on some natural mystery concerning the surface and the center of the earth, was far too intriguing an explanation to be challenged, and it invested the rockpile, moreover, with such mysterious importance that Roy felt it to be his right, not to say his duty, to play there.”

John and Roy’s Aunt Florence provides a mythical explanation for the rockpile’s existence: that it somehow prevents subway cars from falling off their tracks. This explanation only further fuels the boys’ intrigue. As the rockpile connects the underworld with the surface world, it is also a space of spiritual and physical change, similar to the transformations the Grimes family experiences as a result of Roy’s visit to the rockpile. Finally, Roy’s “duty” to play on the pile contrasts sharply with John’s fear of it.

“Though she said ‘children,’ she was looking at Roy, where he sat beside John on the fire escape.” 

Elizabeth tells both children not to play on the rockpile but mostly addresses this to Roy. This is the first inclination that John is different from Roy, but it also makes sense to warn only Roy because John is afraid of the rockpile and what will happen to him there. Elizabeth’s warning foreshadows the actions of the story, as Roy will visit the rockpile but John will nearly end up punished because of it.

“The passage of one of the redeemed made them consider, however vacantly, the wickedness of the street, their own latent wickedness in sitting where they sat; and made them think of their father, who came home early on Saturdays and would soon be turning this corner and entering the dark hall below them.” 

From the fire escape, John and Roy sense that the street is full of sinners and separate the walkers into categories of sinners and saved. In doing so, they feel that they are also sinners because there is sin in being a voyeur.