Black Boy (1945) is a non-fiction memoir by American author Richard Wright, detailing his upbringing. Richard Wright's early life is chronicled in Black Boy, an autobiography that looks at his tormented years in the Jim Crow South from 1912 to 1927. Richard recounts difficult and perplexing recollections in each chapter, leading to a greater understanding of the man who emerges, a black, Southern, American writer.
Richard Wright's family spent much of their life in deep poverty, enduring hunger and illness moving around the country in search of a better life. Wright cites his family and childhood environment as the primary influence in his writing. Specifically, Wright's family's religious presence throughout his childhood held a strong influence in both his religious outlook and his writing. Similarly, Wright's experiences growing up in poverty enduring hunger caused by the considerable distress that he referenced repeatedly in Black Boy. Most generally, Wright credits his influence of Black Boy back to the racial inequalities he sustained throughout his travels in America.
Wright becomes a member of the Chicago John Reed Club, a Communist Party club dedicated to enlisting artists to further the Communist cause. Wright discovers that his commitment to artistic autonomy and a more nuanced portrayal of the Black experience as an American underclass puts him at odds with the party's leadership.
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Black Boy
overview
Richard Wright, a black boy growing up amid racism and poverty, yearns for basic human dignity. In spite of resistance from his family, his friends, and the culture of the Jim Crow South, he develops into a proud, self-educated young man who dreams big. He moves north and, despite more poverty and racism, becomes a well-known author.
Racism
The culture of the Jim Crow South keeps Wright poor, hungry, and undereducated.
mistake
Wright makes mistakes that often worsen his life, as happens when he accidentally burns down his grandparents' house.
Writing
Wright educates himself by reading and writing, ultimately achieving his dream of becoming a published author.
Voilence
Wright faces physical abuse at home and violence from white racists while also fighting with peers on the streets.
Going North
Although Wright continues to grapple with racism after leaving the South, moving to the North brings him greater opportunities.
Communism
After a childhood of social isolation, Wright briefly finds community and friendship among the members of the Chicago Communist Party.
Main Characters
Richard Wright
Young African American man; searches for meaning in life
Ella Wright
Proud but flawed woman; suffers a stroke and becomes dependent on Richard
Alan Wright
A stranger during Richard's childhood; a dependent in adulthood
Mrs.Wilson
Harsh matriarch; tries to control Richard with religion
Numbering
9
Highest grade Wright completed in school
16
Age at which Wright published his first story
$0
Money Wright received for the publication of his first story
12
Years Wright was a member of the Communist Party—from 1932-44
Symbols
Illness
Symbolizes the "meaningless suffering" of racism, violence, and poverty
The North
Signifies hope for a better life in an unknown place
Hunger
Represents the desire for human dignity and unrestricted self-expression
Author
Richard Wright 1908-60
Wright was a brilliant writer who grew up in the Jim Crow South and achieved critical acclaim despite little formal education. Wright's unflinching descriptions helped the rest of the country gain awareness of the struggles faced by working-class African Americans.
Black Boy
14
Black Boy
overview
Main Characters
Numbering
Richard Wright, a black boy growing up amid racism and poverty, yearns for basic human dignity. In spite of resistance from his family, his friends, and the culture of the Jim Crow South, he develops into a proud, self-educated young man who dreams big. He moves north and, despite more poverty and racism, becomes a well-known author.
Racism
The culture of the Jim Crow South keeps Wright poor, hungry, and undereducated.
mistake
Wright makes mistakes that often worsen his life, as happens when he accidentally burns down his grandparents' house.
Writing
Wright educates himself by reading and writing, ultimately achieving his dream of becoming a published author.
Voilence
Wright faces physical abuse at home and violence from white racists while also fighting with peers on the streets.
Going North
Although Wright continues to grapple with racism after leaving the South, moving to the North brings him greater opportunities.
Communism
After a childhood of social isolation, Wright briefly finds community and friendship among the members of the Chicago Communist Party.
Richard Wright
Young African American man; searches for meaning in life
Ella Wright
Proud but flawed woman; suffers a stroke and becomes dependent on Richard
Alan Wright
A stranger during Richard's childhood; a dependent in adulthood
Mrs.Wilson
Harsh matriarch; tries to control Richard with religion
9
Highest grade Wright completed in school
16
Age at which Wright published his first story
$0
Money Wright received for the publication of his first story
12
Years Wright was a member of the Communist Party—from 1932-44
Author
Symbols
Illness
Symbolizes the "meaningless suffering" of racism, violence, and poverty
The North
Signifies hope for a better life in an unknown place
Hunger
Represents the desire for human dignity and unrestricted self-expression
Richard Wright 1908-60
Wright was a brilliant writer who grew up in the Jim Crow South and achieved critical acclaim despite little formal education. Wright's unflinching descriptions helped the rest of the country gain awareness of the struggles faced by working-class African Americans.
Black Boy
overview
Richard Wright, a black boy growing up amid racism and poverty, yearns for basic human dignity. In spite of resistance from his family, his friends, and the culture of the Jim Crow South, he develops into a proud, self-educated young man who dreams big. He moves north and, despite more poverty and racism, becomes a well-known author.
Racism
The culture of the Jim Crow South keeps Wright poor, hungry, and undereducated.
mistake
Wright makes mistakes that often worsen his life, as happens when he accidentally burns down his grandparents' house.
Writing
Wright educates himself by reading and writing, ultimately achieving his dream of becoming a published author.
Voilence
Wright faces physical abuse at home and violence from white racists while also fighting with peers on the streets.
Going North
Although Wright continues to grapple with racism after leaving the South, moving to the North brings him greater opportunities.
Communism
After a childhood of social isolation, Wright briefly finds community and friendship among the members of the Chicago Communist Party.
Main Characters
Richard Wright
Young African American man; searches for meaning in life
Ella Wright
Proud but flawed woman; suffers a stroke and becomes dependent on Richard
Alan Wright
A stranger during Richard's childhood; a dependent in adulthood
Mrs.Wilson
Harsh matriarch; tries to control Richard with religion
Numbering
9
Highest grade Wright completed in school
16
Age at which Wright published his first story
$0
Money Wright received for the publication of his first story
12
Years Wright was a member of the Communist Party—from 1932-44
Symbols
Illness
Symbolizes the "meaningless suffering" of racism, violence, and poverty
The North
Signifies hope for a better life in an unknown place
Hunger
Represents the desire for human dignity and unrestricted self-expression
Author
Richard Wright 1908-60
Wright was a brilliant writer who grew up in the Jim Crow South and achieved critical acclaim despite little formal education. Wright's unflinching descriptions helped the rest of the country gain awareness of the struggles faced by working-class African Americans.
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