Essay Questions

What are the three main issues discussed by James McBride in Deacon King Kong?

The three main issues McBride focuses on include racism, drug addiction, and religion. Throughout the novel, McBride highlights several incidences that show the effects of structural racism. For instance, when black people want to purchase land to build the Five Ends Church, white landowners are reluctant because they do not want black people to own property. The other incident of racism is when the New York Housing Authorities neglects the complaints of black people concerning unlawful evictions. The second most important issue in the novel is drug addiction. Characters such as Deems and Bunch Moon are notorious drug dealers. The use of heroin in the area has led to increased criminal activities and unnecessary killings. The last issue is religion. Throughout the novel, the author touches on the matters of faith and its impact on the residents of Causeway Projects. For instance, The Five Ends Church has programs that foster morality and humanitarian aid to the people.

What is the primary symbolism in the entire novel?

James McBride uses baseball as a primary symbol throughout the novel. The baseball symbolizes escapism. Almost all the black people living in the Causeway Projects in Brooklyn play baseball because it distracts them from their challenges. For instance, young children prefer playing baseball to escape racist remarks hurled at them by white kids. Other characters like Deems play baseball to distract themselves from drug addiction. Every person in the Causeway Projects plays baseball to escape his challenges.

How does James McBride use the character, Sportcoat to create situational irony?

Sportcoat is the central character in the novel, and he is first introduced as an alcoholic and violent man. After a long struggle with alcoholism and violence, Sportcoat reforms, becoming the best man in society. People expect Sportcoat to live long to act as a role model for the young generation that might be lured to sink into drug addiction and crime. Paradoxically, Sportcoat thinks that it is time to kill himself since he has reformed from his wrongs. He walks to the harbor and jumps into the ocean to end his life. Consequently, there is situational irony because Sportcoat's decision to end his life when society needs him most is contradictory.