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.
The rooster is an enduring symbol of black masculinity in the play, and functions as a menacing and prophetic harbinger when Hedley delivers a stirring speech and ritually murders one before the other characters.