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Black Boy and Alienation

            
            
             A childs personality is molded by a parents presence and the society.
             Wright's autobiography, "Black Boy", uncovers the outcome that social restrictions and family influences have on a person. Richard Wright was a young man of extreme intelligence and openness to speak his mind. Richard's writings in "Black Boy" are a collection of his alienation from white society and from his own people. But most importantly his individuality. .
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             In Richard's boyhood there was virtually no chance for a personality such as his to develop freely. Everything was against personal freedom, not only the white social structure, but the black as well. Richard was beaten, almost to death, by his mother. "I was lashed so hard and long that I lost consciousness"(pg.7) Richard was treated brutally and tyrannically at home in order to prevent his being treated the same way or worse outside of home and especially in the white society. His family tried to enforce a code of conduct on him, so when in the presence of whites he would not be harmed. "I have the choice of being beaten at home or away from home" (p20) It appears that Richard was more afraid of the punishment he would receive from his family, rather then the punishment he would receive from the white people. .
             Richard was no more welcome in the white society than he was in the black.in the 1920"s discrimination and segregation was a major theme. The whites thought poorly of the blacks and the feeling was mutual on the other side. Richard was caught up in all of this. He really wanted to leave and move up north . But he didnt have the means to so he had to work. the first job he worked for was a newspaper company. What he didnt know was its was for KKK. "If you sell them you just helpng the white people kill you"(p131) Having black people sell papers that promote killing and hatred against them shows that white people do not care about black people just as long as they can get rid of them by any means.


Essays Related to Black Boy and Alienation

1. Alienation in Richard Wright's 'Black Boy'

In the book 'Black Boy' by Richard Wright, alienation is shown throughout the story. ... In Black Boy Richard Wright worked in many different homes for wealthy white people. ... In Black Boy when Wright was working for the optical industry, his boss promised him on the first day of the job that he would be able to learn how to work the machines that made the glasses. ... Alienation was so present in Wright's Black Boy. ... He struggled to liberate himself from the alienation of white people and the working system because it was strongly looked down upon by whites and blacks. ...

  • Word Count: 1250
  • Approx Pages: 5
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2. Alienation in Black Boy

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3. The Character of Jim

The alienation of Jim throughout the story reflects the popular racist beliefs of the mid to late 1800s. ... This is why Twain uses Jim, a black slave, as a symbol of society's racism and ignorance. ... The fact that a white boy apologized to an older, black slave, was ground- breaking and very controversial for this time period. The apology reflects Twain's feelings towards blacks himself. ...

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5. The Individual: A Victim of Society

"The individual is not a killer, but the group is, and by identifying with it the individual is transformed into a killer." (Arthur Koestler; www.worldofquotes.com) In other words, the individual is the product produced by the stereotypical machine of society. In the works studied in class, each of the protagonists fell victim to this vicious formula, as they continuously suffered the weight of society's expectations. It may be said that Jude, Karl and Smith were more sinned against than sinned. The sole purpose and cause for their sins can ultimately be blamed on the reality that the...

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6. The Truth About Black Men, Gays And Homophobia

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