Richard Wright writes about racism in his book Black Boy as a famous topic of literature. The book explores the odious belief of racism and portrays it as the insidious issue that is prevailed in the whole society. Pease and Olin are evil characters of the book that revolve around the emotions of oppression, fear and hatred.
Black Boy Sections
“Black Boy” is divided into two sections. The first part focuses on Wright’s childhood in Mississippi, where he faced poverty, racism, and violence. Wright recounts the challenges he encountered while navigating a deeply discriminatory society and his early encounters with racism, both overt and subtle.
He also describes his hunger for knowledge and his love for literature, which ultimately helps him escape the limitations imposed on him by his circumstances.
The second part of the book follows Wright’s journey to Chicago, where he hopes to find better opportunities and escape the systemic racism of the South.
He encounters new challenges in the urban environment, including poverty, discrimination, and the complexities of urban life.
However, he also finds a community of like-minded individuals and becomes involved in political and social movements.
The racism issue in America is quite common, as Richard puts it that it is tough to destroy its roots without destroying the American culture. The passionate desire of writer in Black Boy reflects the feelings of the world and he portrays the dark impact.
Black Boy Themes
“Black Boy” explores themes of race, identity, poverty, education, and the quest for self-discovery. It vividly portrays the harsh realities of racism and the impact it has on an individual’s psyche and aspirations.
Wright’s honest and introspective narrative sheds light on the struggles faced by African Americans in the Jim Crow era and their resilience in the face of adversity.
The book is considered a significant work in African American literature, as well as an important contribution to American literature as a whole. It has been widely studied and acclaimed for its exploration of race, social injustice, and the power of literature to illuminate and challenge societal norms.
It’s worth noting that Richard Wright wrote another influential novel titled “Native Son” in 1940, which also examines themes of race, oppression, and identity in a powerful and thought-provoking manner. Both “Black Boy” and “Native Son” are notable works in Wright’s literary legacy.
Racism and Gender
The story line of Black Boy presents that deleterious effects of racism are harmful for black and white people. Wright is black and the feelings he possess are quite apparent from this book.
The work of ‘Black Boy’ is solely based on the black ‘word’ and the awareness about it which is spread all around.
In America, Wright grown up so he has seen all the racism impact over there and unable to escape from getting labeled as the black so the concept of black has been applied on him constantly.
The novel describes the treatment of Richard in a bad manner only due to his color.
Racism is insidious in this society and one cannot escape out of this dilemma. Black and white race in Chicago is difficult to avoid. There is semblance of respect to White among his black fellows. The role of black in the upbringing is inherent that everyone has to accept without distinction.
The critique by Wright in this book on racism is due to the unwillingness of society to accept black people.
The black community is devoid of normal behavior and everyone in society makes them ashamed of their skin color. This aspect of society is condemnable.
A Cynical Thinker
The incident of Chicago played significant role in the life of Wright. He defies him in the Granny home and prefers spirituality. In Chicago, the communist party presents the final choice and he leaves his accord.
It is clear that Richard denied call for conformation and the rejection is associated with the difficulty and strife. Richard does not think negative about people but the society in which he grown up, made him cynical thinker.
He always wished to stay as an individual and want a connection with the world spiritually. The communities passion described in the novel is of struggling. Richard, as an artist wants to reflect the passion of communities who hate him.
Moreover, the redemptive art power is also portrayed in the book. The story presents the emotional response of Wright in many places. He described the fairy tale that he used to listen when he was at Granny’s home.
When the communist party attempted as the savior of black race, he figured out as this party may be the secure place for black race.
Later, he found out other places to connect with and who did not need any communist parties for protection. All the reflection made by Richard about racism is based on the Southern Social System.