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Analysis of Black Boy by Richard Wright
Notes on the big black good man by richard wright
Analysis of Black Boy by Richard Wright
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Olaf's Hatred Toward Jim in Big Black Good Man
Olaf's hatred toward Jim in the "Big Black Good Man" was unnecessary. His fear of Jim is what initially caused this hatred. Olaf had no reason to fear or hate Jim. He hated Jim just because of who he was; a "Big Black Good Man" (Wright 265). Olaf's hatred of Jim is manifested in several ways throughout the story; when he called Jim a nigger, after his conversation with Lena, and his fantasy of a white shark eating Jim.
Olaf's first sign of hatred is when he called Jim a nigger in his thoughts. In the story he was wondering to himself about "Why was he so damned worked up and nervous about a nigger and white whore?" (Wright 266). Olaf hated Jim so much that he called him out of his name. To Olaf, Jim was not even a black man; he was just a big black nigger. Olaf used the word to boost his self-esteem in order to make Jim seem like a nobody. In the story Olaf said that he was not prejudice, but to use the word nigger to classify Jim was uncalled for. When Olaf used the word nigger to refer to Jim, it showed the beginning stages of his hatred for Jim.
Another example of Olaf's hatred for Jim was after his conversation with Lena. It states in the story "Try as he might, he could not shake off a primitive hate for that black mountain of
energy" (Wright 267). The reason Olaf could not shake off his hatred for Jim was that Lena was not scared of Jim like he was. Olaf did not like how Jim instilled fear in him. He did not like how Lena handled Jim like she stated before coming over to the hotel. He also did not like the idea that he was the only one that was scared of this huge black man. All of the things running through Olaf's head were another reason he came to hate Jim.
Olaf's true hate was shown through his fantasy of a white shark eating Jim. In this fantasy; Olaf's hatred of Jim was shown the strongest. Olaf's fantasy was that the ship Jim was on would sink and a white shark would come and eat Jim.
In the beginning of the novel, Huck plays many practical jokes on Jim. Huck and Tom begin the novel by waking up Jim when he is sleeping under a tree. They are both very immature boys and think it will be fun to scare Jim. They act like Jim isn’t a human being and don’t seem to be bothered by the fact that he has feelings too. When Huck and Jim get separated by the fog Huck must think Jim is stupid and won’t catch onto his lie. “Aamy heart wuz mos’ broke bekase you wuz los’, en I didn’ k’yer no’ mo’ what become er me en de raf’.En when I wake up en fine you back agin,all safe en soun’,de tears come,en I could a got down on my knees en kiss yo foot.”(109) Huck makes Jim believe the whole fog storm was just a dream and gets him very worried. Huck doesn’t realize that Jim is trying to protect him and be a father figure to him, and that he only wants the best for Huck. Huck also thinks Jim isn’t knowledgeable because he is a black slave. Huck and Jim are arguing and Huck feels Jim cannot say anything intelligent so Huck changes the subject. “I never seen such a nigger .If he got a notion in his head once, there warn’t no getting it out again. He was the most down on S...
Jim's character traits are easy to over look because of his seeming ignorance, but in reality Jim possessed some qualities that created a positive influence on Huck. He began by demonstrating to Huck how friends teach friends. His honest compassion also eventually causes Huck to resist the ideas society has placed upon him, and see Jim as an equal-- rather than property that can be owned. Huck knew he was going against society, and of the consequences that he could receive for freeing a slave. "It would get all around, that Huck Finn helped a nigger to get his freedom; and if I was to ever see anybody from that town again, I'd be ready to get down and lick his boots for shame", (269-270). Huck then claims, "All right, then, I'll go to hell…"(272) This shows that Huck was willing to put himself on the line for a slave, because he ceased to view Jim as property and recognized him as a friend. At the beginning of the story Huck would have never done this, but after the many adventures that occur, Jims unconditional love for Huck pierces the shell society placed ar...
-The man vs. himself conflict is another conflict that is brought out through the story, as Huckleberry constantly challenges his morals with the way he is brought up, as a racist southern boy, and his own personal beliefs. The main point of this conflict is mostly based on the way society treats Jim. Many times in the story, Huckleberry treats Jim poorly, merely because of his skin color, as he does such things as place a rattlesnake skin near Jim as he is sleeping, which ends in Jim with a snake bite. Also, since Jim is a slave, and his color, many references to the word “nigger” are plagued throughout the story, as he is being called one, and so are the rest of the black population. But that’s where Huckleberry’s conflict arises. He sees Jim as a nice, kind hearted man (which he is) and wishes to set him free. But at the same time, he has his own prejudices as in chapter twenty-three, Huck has a revelation. Watching Jim mourn because of his far away family, Huck concludes that blacks must love their families as much as whites love theirs.
..., I reckon we'd come to consider him our [King and Duke's] nigger; yes, we did consider him so-goodness knows we had trouble enough for him"(Twain 275), shows that they will not help any one without getting something in return, and that they did not view Jim as a person to respect.
	Huck’s attitude for Jim is racist which is seen when he decides to play a trick on Jim during their voyage. After Huck plays his trick his attitude toward Jim begins to change, "It was fifteen minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a nigger; but I done it, and I warn't ever sorry for it afterward, neither" (Twain 72). The dialogue throughout the book between Huck and Jim illustrates that Jim is more than property and that he is a human being with feelings, and hopes for a better future.
In the short story “Big Black Good Man”, we see a third-person narrator who tells the story from Olaf Jenson 's point of view. The story reflects the time it was written where race was common in society. In this story we can remind ourselves of little lessons that can be applied every day in life. In the beginning, Olaf was a good man of relaxation and satisfaction. Olaf makes a decision that changes his life. In the next year he finally finds closure. Things take a big turn when a big black man walks through the door of Olaf’s hotel. In the last line of Richard Wright’s short story “Big Black Good Man”, it indicates that Jim remained unaware of Olaf’s feelings toward him. Jim had no idea that Olaf was a deep-seated racial prejudice. Although
... is influenced my Mark Twain's interest in minstrelsy, and furthermore the stereotypical blackface characters represented in the increasingly popular minstrel shows that influenced a great deal in American society and culture, as well as created a very negative caricature of blacks during the time. Jim neglects the stereotype of the happy-go-lucky "Sambo" by running away from his master to obtain freedom, yet he also does not represent the "dandified coon," as he is fairly intelligent, selfless, and kind-hearted in all of his actions. Thus, as the growing popularity of minstrel shows continued and spread its influence among American culture, Mark Twain's depiction of Jim in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn offers a rejection of the blackface portrayals of minstrelsy.
Despite the few incidences in which Jim's description might be misconstrued as racist, there are many points in the novel where Twain through Huck, voices his extreme opposition to the slave trade and racism.
...as he must be white inside. This shows how in his mind, white is good and black is bad, but since Jim is black and he is doing something good, then he must be white. Huck’s experiences and surroundings change him day by day. Even though Jim is black and he hasn’t changed, Huck has changed and now recognizes Jim as a human being and not as property.
Jim was known as the town’s practical joker, even though his jokes were cruel and disrespectful. In one of whitey’s stories about Jim, he mentions how Jim once said “that lots of people had tried to make a monkey out of him, but he always got even.” which explains some of Jim’s reactions to some things. For example when his wife went to one of Jim’s jobs and asks for his wages, Jim later finds out ...
was never meant to do any harm. ?Even though Huck calls Jim ?nigger,? he treats him
The lessons Mark Twain teaches throughout his book are vital for every High School student to experience. One of the major points for arguing that The Adventure’s of Huckleberry Finn should be banned is the repetitive and overuse of the N word. On a surface level, the way the N word is used could seem very disrespectful however as one dives deeper into analysis, Twain seemingly uses the N word loosely to portray a message. Throughout the book, Jim is always looked upon with a negative attitude and being just a typical black person because of these traits. However, as Huck and Jim venture along the Mississippi river, Huck begins to act more and more like Jim is an actual person. A prime example of this is when Huck says “they’re comin for us” (Twain 63) rather than saying they’re coming for you. Huck sees him and Jim as a relationship rather than just him and a slave. Another example is when Huck says, “It was 15 minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a n----” (89). Huck’s apology shows how Huck’s mindet towards not only Jim but all black people has changed, and that he actually has feelings for them now. The overall lesson tha...
When Inge died, the law prohibited Olaf to bury her on the farm and had to make the hard decision to cover her grave but knew that his family would remember her and love her. “She was real, Olaf thought, only to those who knew her, who loved her. Olaf suddenly understood, was the way she should remain. As in her life, her death” (25). Even though Inge’s grave had to be secret, the people who loved her will always remember she was there strengthening the theme of love throughout the
Since its first publication in 1884, Mark Twain’s masterpiece The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has proven to be one of history’s most controversial novels; especially recently, the novel has often been banned by schools and censored by libraries. Characters in the book are constantly using disparaging language toward slaves, and the repeated use of the word “nigger” makes many sensitive and offended. Critics denounce the novel and Mark Twain as racist for this word being insulting and politically incorrect and for its depiction of black people and how they are treated. However, Twain was not attempting to perpetuate racism; on the contrary, he used satire to expose the ignorance and paradoxical views held by many in America at that time. Despite objections to the novel for offensive and insensitive portrayal of African Americans due to Twain’s negative and stereotypical “minstrel-like” characterization of Jim and the extensive use of the term “nigger,” throughout the novel, Twain exposes Jim’s unfeigned humanity behind a “minstrel-like” pretense by illustrating his capacity to possess profound human emotions and his triggering Huck’s moral transformation from a conscienceless, uncivilized juvenile into an adolescent able to make The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has been the source of criticism on many occasions.
Nigger. Although it has acquired additional connotations in today’s society, at base, it still evokes an intense emotional and psychological response. Even now, in print or in speech, the word nigger causes one to cringe. Today, no one would tolerate being referred to as a nigger let alone called a nigger to their face. However, Jim and every other black, free or slave, endured that insult daily because it was a part of the social fabric. Even those with ‘good intentions’ used nigger as a utility word to desc...