Black Boy :: Essays Papers

Black BoyTITLE Black Boy agent Richard WrightINTRODUCTION OF AUTHOR Richard Wright was born in Natchez, Mississippi. When he was six years old, his father, Nathan Wright deserted the family for whatever reason. His mother, Ella, became the breadwinner of the family. Abandoned by her husband and unable to establish frugal independence from her strict mother, Ellasuffered greatly. A strong woman who faces terrible adversity, she trained Richard to bestrong and to take care of himself. Later, the feisty, independent spirit Richard developed at home leaded him to refuse to accept the codes of behavior the white world has set for Southern blacks. When Richard finally decided to become writer, that career represented a declaration of independence from those in the black community. PLOT SUMMARY The opening chapter recounts Wrights early childhood in Natchez,Mississippi, and his familys move to Memphis. It describes his early rebellion againstparental authority, his scantness and hunger, and his unsupervised life on the streets while his mother is at work. Then the Wrights move to the home of Richards aunt Maggie. But their pleasant life there ends when whites refine Maggies husband. Later the threat of violence by whites forces Maggie to flee again. Richards mother has a stroke. Richard is sent to his Uncle Clarks, but he is unhappy there and insists on returning to his mothers. Richard confronts his Aunt Addie, who teaches at the Seventh-Day Adventist church school. He also resists his grandmothers attempts to convert him to religious faith. And he writes his offshoot story. Richard gets a job selling newspapers but quits when he finds that the newspapers get married racist views. Later, his grandfather dies. Richard gets a job working for white people. Then he is baptized in his mothers church. Finally, he has another near-violent confrontation with a relative. Richard publishes his first story. The reaction from his family is ov erwhelmingly negative. Richard becomes class valedictorian. But he refuses to give the speech written for him by the principal. Richard has several terrifying confrontations with whites. In the most important of these confrontations, he is forced out of a job because he dares to ask to learn the skills of the trade. Richard learnsto steal.