The Wall
The allusion to the walls of the city of Jericho which the Biblical figure of Joshua brought down when he “fit” the battle of Jericho is here a metaphor which symbolizes the walls obstructing economic empowerment and the exploitation of the capitalist system. The walls are actually the obstruction of self-deception which keeps African Americans from realizing self-actualization.
Jericho
The wall surrounds the city of Jericho. So what is the symbolic status Jericho in the novel? The symbolism is explicitly addressed by one of the characters: Jericho symbolizes self-awareness and self-knowledge.
Shine
A character known primarily as Shine is actually named Joshua Jones. The battle of Jericho that must be “fit” so the walls can be brought down needs a Joshua, after all. Shine is the novel’s symbolic incarnation of the Biblical figure.
Harlem
Harlem is the setting for the story and it is definitely a real place. But right from the opening pages, Harlem is situated symbolically. It is referred to as a “city jungle” with “proud streets” juxtaposed against the “dark kingdom’s backwoods.” Harlem is the symbolic union of the professionals and the working class blacks who are in opposition with each other in a war that it is only hurting them both and black society at large.
Patmore versus Merritt
There is a rather significant white racist character in the story, but she is really tangential. The primary focus is on black versus black racism and black on black violence. The intensifying antagonism between Henry Patmore and Merritt that climaxes with extreme violence is the symbolic situation of the conflict at the heart of black society which has given rise to the walls of Jericho as metaphor.
