Reflection/Response:
Throughout the book Black Boy, by Richard Wright, he has to live by a certain set of morals. When he grew up with a life of poverty, hunger, and harsh punishments, he becomes very hostile towards people, as well as very cautious of strangers. The fact that he developed this personality, is thought by many readers and critics, to be, a result of naturalism. This is the theory, that people become who they are because of the people they are around. Their society and community molds their thoughts, feelings, and everything they will be in the future.
Richard Wright faced discrimination from the majority of whites, as well as influences from the various streets. He developed hatred against all whites he met during his childhood and teenage years. His constant hunger, taught him how to manage his money in order to keep himself from starving, and the poverty he faced, forced him to work at a very young age.
As you have read, in Wright's book, Black Boy, the various struggles, and an overall lifestyle, where as a young boy, to a man, to the way he lived shaped him into the person he came to be. Because of this, Richard learns various lessons, that can help us, just as it did to him. Throughout the book, Wright constantly implies that ignorance is what truly enslaves a man.
Much like Fredrick Douglass, he strongly believes that to be ignorant it will make you blind to the true world. To truly understand the world you live in, is through education. To read and write is a privilege which unfortunately, not everyone can obtain. Wright believed that education to be one of the most important life lessons and treasures. We, today, should understand, Wright's thought, and try to avoid ignorance, and embrace knowledge as well as the truth.
Throughout the book Black Boy, by Richard Wright, he has to live by a certain set of morals. When he grew up with a life of poverty, hunger, and harsh punishments, he becomes very hostile towards people, as well as very cautious of strangers. The fact that he developed this personality, is thought by many readers and critics, to be, a result of naturalism. This is the theory, that people become who they are because of the people they are around. Their society and community molds their thoughts, feelings, and everything they will be in the future.
Richard Wright faced discrimination from the majority of whites, as well as influences from the various streets. He developed hatred against all whites he met during his childhood and teenage years. His constant hunger, taught him how to manage his money in order to keep himself from starving, and the poverty he faced, forced him to work at a very young age.
As you have read, in Wright's book, Black Boy, the various struggles, and an overall lifestyle, where as a young boy, to a man, to the way he lived shaped him into the person he came to be. Because of this, Richard learns various lessons, that can help us, just as it did to him. Throughout the book, Wright constantly implies that ignorance is what truly enslaves a man.
Much like Fredrick Douglass, he strongly believes that to be ignorant it will make you blind to the true world. To truly understand the world you live in, is through education. To read and write is a privilege which unfortunately, not everyone can obtain. Wright believed that education to be one of the most important life lessons and treasures. We, today, should understand, Wright's thought, and try to avoid ignorance, and embrace knowledge as well as the truth.