The rooster is a recurring symbol of black manhood throughout the play, and provides a violent and shocking foreshadowing effect when Hedley delivers a fiery monologue and ritualistically slaughters one in front of the other characters.
A rooster consistently embodies black male identity throughout the play, and serves as a sense of impending doom when Hedley delivers an impassioned address and ritually slaughters one in front of the other characters.