The Rock and the River: Chapters 7–11

by Kekla Magoon
Growing up in Chicago in the 1960s, Sam is a witness to both racism and the growing Civil Rights Movement. But when his father and brother embrace conflicting tactics for confronting prejudice and violence in their community, Sam must figure out where his loyalties lie.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–2, Chapters 3–6, Chapters 7–11, Chapters 12–21

Here are links to our lists for other books by Kekla Magoon: The Season of Styx Malone, X: A Novel
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. tangible
    capable of being perceived
    The only tangible mood was as a swirling drain, sucking away any remnants of hope.
  2. remnant
    a small part remaining after the main part no longer exists
    The only tangible mood was as a swirling drain, sucking away any remnants of hope.
  3. deliberate
    unhurried and with care and dignity
    An elderly couple swept up broken glass and debris along the sidewalk in front of their barbershop/beauty parlor. The woman dragged the thin broom with slow, deliberate strokes.
  4. shambles
    a condition of great disorder
    I hated seeing the neighborhood in shambles, but it wasn't my home.
  5. heave
    breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted
    Father and Stick stood at opposite sides of the dining table, heaving deep breaths and glowering at each other.
  6. utterly
    completely and without qualification
    "Of course I’m angry. You know how I feel—felt—about Martin. What's been done is utterly reprehensible. But we have to go on.”
  7. reprehensible
    bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
    "Of course I’m angry. You know how I feel—felt—about Martin. What's been done is utterly reprehensible. But we have to go on.”
  8. determination
    firmness of purpose
    “You’ve got to hold on to that anger, son.” Father leaned forward, hands balled in fists at his chest. “Let it burn, let it fan the flames of your will, your determination. The movement is bigger than one man, Steven. Martin would tell you that.”
  9. setback
    an unfortunate happening that thwarts or hinders
    “You don’t stop fighting because of a setback, even this one. If anything, it’s a reason to keep going.” Father's voice vibrated with intensity.
  10. tirade
    a speech of violent denunciation
    “I’m a Panther.” Stick broke through Father’s tirade with a calm breath.
  11. spare
    more than is needed, desired, or required
    I dropped my books on my bed, took my spare jacket from the closet, and went to the window.
  12. beret
    a soft cap with no brim or bill
    He actually looked pretty smooth and official, dressed up in his black leather jacket, combat boots, and beret.
  13. aloft
    high up in or into the air
    "The revolution is not here,” Leroy said, holding the gun aloft.
  14. casualty
    someone injured or killed in a military engagement
    “Bobby may be the first Panther to die in this fight, but he’s not the first casualty of the race war. Just the latest. And he won’t be the last to give his life for the cause of freedom."
  15. saunter
    walk leisurely and with no apparent aim
    Raheem sauntered over to me.
  16. hurtle
    move with or as if with a rushing sound
    The images hurtled through my mind.
  17. bask
    derive or receive pleasure from
    I couldn’t let myself bask in the relief of having Father to walk with me; it was overshadowed by the fear that we might run into Stick.
  18. reprimand
    an act or expression of criticism and censure
    The reprimand lifted my spirits some, made me feel more normal.
  19. engulf
    flow over or cover completely
    I crawled to the end of the bed, near the block tower, and closed my eyes, longing to be engulfed in the magic protection of its walls.
  20. inspiration
    arousal of the mind to unusual activity or creativity
    The floorboards creaked as Father began to pace. Back and forth in front of the windows, the way he did when searching for inspiration for one of his speeches.
  21. etch
    carve or cut a design or letters into
    "I feel their pain, Marjorie—why do you think I'm doing what I do?” He rarely used this low tone of voice, and it meant he was out-of-his-mind furious. The angrier he got, the steadier his voice became, until it seemed as if he were speaking words etched in stone.
  22. guillotine
    instrument of execution used for beheading people
    I trudged back to the living room, feeling as though I were headed for the guillotine. If it always felt this way to break rules and get caught, I was better off being good.
  23. incredulity
    doubt about the truth of something
    I’d never talked back to him. Never. He gazed at me with slack-jawed incredulity. I had shocked him into silence, and that was saying something.
  24. curt
    speaking in a terse, rude, or abrupt way
    He nodded curtly. “You’ve made your point. Let’s move on.”
  25. strew
    spread by scattering
    The living room was strewn with books, papers, signs, and things in preparation for the demonstration Father would hold during Bucky’s trial the following week.
  26. paraphernalia
    equipment consisting of miscellaneous articles
    It wasn't unusual—our house always came alive with protest paraphernalia in the weeks before a demonstration, but I had never really paid attention to it before.
  27. novelty
    originality by virtue of being refreshingly new
    I went to Father's desk and gazed at the frames that filled the wall. Photos of demonstrations. Texts of speeches. Newspaper clippings that mentioned Father’s name; the earliest ones, from back when seeing his name in print was a novelty.
  28. dedication
    the act of binding yourself to a course of action
    "But something happens once you get out there,” he said. "When you see the faces, their hope, their dedication. We left everything we had on those steps, but we took something away with us too. Something more valuable.”
  29. willingness
    cheerful compliance
    I was grateful for Maxie’s willingness to simply be with me and not to pry.
  30. rile
    disturb, especially by minor irritations
    “So, if they already come here for nothing, why go and rile them up with real reasons?”
  31. bombardment
    a rapid and continuous outpouring
    I closed my eyes until the bombardment passed.
  32. conscience
    conformity to one's own sense of right conduct
    Images of Bucky were never far from my mind. Every day they dug deeper, etched on my conscience, never to be erased.
  33. racket
    a loud and disturbing noise
    I dragged my desk chair to the window. "Stand back.” I lowered it out the window, trying not to make too much racket.
  34. scrawl
    poor handwriting
    Then I saw the note lying on top of my shoes. Six words in Stick’s quick block scrawl: WHERE IS IT? I NEED IT.
  35. warily
    in a manner marked by keen caution and watchful prudence
    The bearded cop eyed the two rifles warily.
  36. menacing
    threatening evil or danger
    Stick advanced toward me, with a menacing scowl. He grabbed a handful of my shirt and hauled me to my feet.
  37. flail
    thrash about
    He used to laugh at me, flailing in front of him.
  38. thrash
    move or stir about violently
    We tumbled on the ground, no punches, just thrashing arms and legs and trying to get on top.
  39. respective
    considered individually
    “What’s going on?” Father’s voice boomed in the hallway. Stick and I broke apart. We leapt onto our respective beds, catching our breath.
  40. precariously
    in a manner affording no ease or reassurance
    We looked at the block tower wreckage. It made me want to cry. The whole front part had collapsed, about a third of the whole. The remainder hung on precariously.
Created on Wed Apr 24 11:47:53 EDT 2019 (updated Thu Apr 25 08:31:32 EDT 2019)

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