The Nickel Boys

by

Colson Whitehead

Martin Luther King At Zion Hill Symbol Analysis

Martin Luther King At Zion Hill Symbol Icon

Because the record Martin Luther King At Zion Hill informs Elwood’s worldview so profoundly, it comes to stand for his belief in the power of activism. Moreover, Elwood learns to value himself by listening to the record and hearing Dr. King speak about the importance of developing a “sense of dignity.” It is this “sense of dignity” that later inspires Elwood to take a stand against his oppressors at Nickel Academy, risking his life because he believes that it’s important to proudly uphold his morals no matter what might happen to him as a result. In turn, the record itself is an embodiment of Elwood’s strong convictions, and it ultimately represents his unyielding drive to fight for justice.

Martin Luther King At Zion Hill Quotes in The Nickel Boys

The The Nickel Boys quotes below all refer to the symbol of Martin Luther King At Zion Hill. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Trauma and Repression Theme Icon
).
Chapter Two Quotes

From time to time it appeared that he had no goddamned sense. He couldn’t explain it, even to himself, until At Zion Hill gave him a language. We must believe in our souls that we are somebody, that we are significant, that we are worthful, and we must walk the streets of life every day with this sense of dignity and this sense of somebody-ness. The record went around and around […]. Elwood bent to a code—Dr. King gave that code shape, articulation, and meaning. There are big forces that want to keep the Negro down, like Jim Crow, and there are small forces that want to keep you down, like other people, and in the face of all those things, the big ones and the smaller ones, you have to stand up straight and maintain your sense of who you are.

Related Characters: Elwood Curtis, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Related Symbols: Martin Luther King At Zion Hill
Page Number: 27
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter Three Quotes

He hadn’t marched on the Florida Theatre in defense of his rights or those of the black race of which he was a part; he had marched for everyone’s rights, even those who shouted him down. My struggle is your struggle, your burden is my burden.

Related Characters: Elwood Curtis, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Related Symbols: Martin Luther King At Zion Hill
Page Number: 37
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter Fourteen Quotes

But be ye assured that we will wear you down by our capacity to suffer, and one day we will win our freedom.

The capacity to suffer. Elwood—all the Nickel boys—existed in the capacity. Breathed in it, ate in it, dreamed in it. That was their lives now. Otherwise they would have perished. The beatings, the rapes, the unrelenting winnowing of themselves. They endured. But to love those who would have destroyed them? To make that leap? We will meet your physical force with soul force. Do to us what you will and we will still love you.

Related Characters: Elwood Curtis, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Related Symbols: Martin Luther King At Zion Hill
Page Number: 172
Explanation and Analysis:
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Martin Luther King At Zion Hill Symbol Timeline in The Nickel Boys

The timeline below shows where the symbol Martin Luther King At Zion Hill appears in The Nickel Boys. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter One
Civil Rights, Dignity, and Sacrifice Theme Icon
On Christmas in 1962, Elwood receives a recording of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speaking at Zion Hill Baptist Church. He isn’t allowed... (full context)
Chapter Two
Civil Rights, Dignity, and Sacrifice Theme Icon
Power, Fear, and Upward Mobility Theme Icon
...might be true. He has often felt that he doesn’t have any common sense, but At Zion Hill has finally given him the “language” to understand why, exactly, he’s sometimes willing to do... (full context)
Civil Rights, Dignity, and Sacrifice Theme Icon
Thinking about At Zion Hill , Elwood considers Dr. King’s words. “We must believe in our souls that we are... (full context)
Chapter Three
Unity, Support, and Hope Theme Icon
Civil Rights, Dignity, and Sacrifice Theme Icon
...he misbehaved. The ensuing week is grueling, since Elwood isn’t even allowed to listen to At Zion Hill . At the same time, though, he feels at one with himself after having participated... (full context)