Scenes in Black boy unfinished
Racism was in the air, hatred was around the corner and the steps he had to take to become a successful person were tougher than going through a desert. The stories, experiences and life changing events are so graphic and unexpected that sometimes they can make your insides churn. His actions are crazy and his mentality behind it is unexplained. What he does even at such a young age astonishes people, what he’s thinking in those perpetual moments are not something readers can conceive easily. There are many theories as to why the protagonist, Richard made those decisions therefore, Mr. Wright’s account of his life entices curiosity beyond belief.
Someone would read this book to see the raw side of all the tainted, soft stories they’ve been told. It is an eye opener for people who think that African Americans did not go through more than just humiliation. His journey in this book is very detailed, a reader would appreciate his effort to put in all the specifications.
Black Boy by Richard Wright originally titled “American Hunger,” is about an African American boy who lives through many hardships in the South. He has to constantly move from one city to another in his childhood to escape poverty or danger.
Richard and his mentality is something tangible that be further examined. Why does he think the way he does? To begin to answer this, let’s turn to a few scenes in the book.
“The room held nothing of interest except the fire.and finally I stood before the shimmering embers, fascinated by the quivering coals. An idea of a new game grew and took root in my mind. Why not throw something into the fire and watch it burn? I looked about. There was only my picture book and my mother would beat me if I.. Burning straws was a teasing kind of fun and I took more of them from the broom and cast them into the fire.”
In this scene Richard finds something that interests him in an empty room. He wanted to with the fire there even though his younger brother told him no to. His whole house would burn down and his sick grandmother would not be able to get out on her own. That is a clear example of how he thinks or sometimes does not think. Richard later on starts putting more objects into the fire and was fascinated by the sight. Not once did he think that it might be harmful to him or even the people around him. People might argue that he was a small child, but the way the scene was described, he was completely aware of what he was doing.
This event is obviously significant partly because it opens the book, but also because it shows his mentality and absence of a thought process. Going back to the question, according to his surroundings he just got bored, however he knew it was dangerous and his brother warned him that burning items would mean trouble. He is a risk taker and likes danger and adventure which even at a young age let him take action before thinking of the consequences.
Another scene in the presents Richard’s insecurities and relationships perspectives from his side. He is riding in a carriage led by his uncle here is an excerpt from that scene.
“We’re going to the middle of the river so the horse can drink,” he said.
He drove over the levee and down the long slope of cobblestones to the river’s edge and the horse lunged wildly in. I looked at the mile of stretch of water tat lay ahead and leaped in terror.
“Naw!” I screamed.
“This horse has to drink,” Uncle Hoskins said grimly.
“The river’s deep!” I shouted.
“The horse can’t drink here,” Uncle Hoskins said, lashing the back of the struggling animal.
…”Sit down or you’ll fall out!!” Uncle Hoskins shouted.
