The Struggle In Richard Wright's Black Boy

Within the confines of autobiographies, it is common place to see conflicts because it is these conflicts, and how they are resolved, that are an essential part of the author’s life. Black Boy, written by Richard Wright, focuses on the numerous trials and tribulations that the author encounters. Later on Wright finds ways to either subvert, or directly face the numerous problems plaguing his life. Wright is constantly at odds with his emotional hunger. He is forced to face violence from those around him. Finally Wright has to confront the fear he holds in his heart living as a black boy in the South.
One of the most prominent conflicts that Wright encounters throughout his life is hunger. Wright faces an emotional hunger, one that is not simply

quenched by a meager loaf of bread or cup of water. Instead of sustenance, he pines for knowledge, ideas and associations that will satisfy him mentally. A major obstacle between Wright and this knowledge he desires is his poverty. The poverty Wright faces leads him to be unable to attend formal schooling and thus, he cannot obtain any form of education that would have been able to help him quench his insatiable appetite for knowledge. He, however, chooses to acquire this knowledge through means of literature, and it is by making this choice that he is able to overcome the insurmountable obstacle, that is his poverty, and gain access to the knowledge he longs for. This course of action Wright decided to take was what inevitably unlocked a cesspool of ideas that were once unbeknownst to Wright. He describes it as “the first experience that had elicited from me a total emotional response” and that he had “tasted what to me was life, and I would have more of it, somehow someway” (Wright 57). This work of fiction, Bluebeard and his Seven Wives, was able to invoke within him an emotional response, meaning that literature is what satisfies him emotionally. Moreover, Wright feels as though he has truly seen what life has to offer which suggests that this text has had a profound impact on Wright. He, by choosing to gain knowledge through means of literature, is able to overcome and satisfy his own mental hunger.
Subsequently, fear is a major driving force in the life of Wright.

These fears lead Wright to deciding that he wants to leave the South and head up north where he believes he will find salvation from his fear. The primary sources of fear in his life are the white citizens of the South. Racial tensions in the South meant that black people lived in constant fear of white people because of the power they possessed in the 20th century. The power white people possessed over others were utilized by them in order to instill fear and assert dominance. For instance, the husband of Aunt Maggie, Uncle Hoskins, was murdered by white folk because he would not sell to them his financially thriving saloon. The death of Uncle Hoskins leads Wright to revealing that “a dread of white people now came into live permanently in my feelings and imagination” (Wright 97). His commentary serves as a way of detailing Wright’s fears pertaining to white people. The gossip and news he hears about white supremacy in the South manifests itself within an act of hatred and violence against his Uncle Hoskins. As Wright begins to understand the full ramifications of being a black person in the South, and it instills within him a feeling of dread. In an attempt to curb his fear of the atrocities committed in the South, he begins saving money to go to the North. His remarks on the desire he had to go north were that, “the north symbolized to me all that I had not felt and seen; it had no relation whatever to

what actually existed. Yet, by imagining a place where everything was possible, I kept hope alive in me” (Wright 215). Wright consciously decides to change his fate by actively trying to earn money, and using the knowledge he gained, to leave the South and his fears behind. The previous evidence provided from the life of Wright shows how Wright was able to overcome one of numerous insurmountable obstacles.
Lastly, violence is an overarching compelling force in Wright’s life.

From a young age the threat of physical violence used against Wright by the people he associates with is used as a form of indoctrination, in order to force him into a certain mindset or to take certain actions. For example, after Wright’s unwillingness to go to the grocery store, because of the older boys and potential danger that lurked outside, his mother tells him that, “if you come back into this house without those groceries, I’ll whip you” (Wright 31). It is only after his mother threatened him that Wright goes outside and brings home the groceries. The violence as a disciplinary action concept is also seen in Wright’s life as well. More specifically, it can be seen in the time spent with his grandmother and aunt in Memphis Tennessee. In order to ingrain blind obedience into Wright’s mind his Aunt beats him. For example, after walnuts, that were not Wright’s, are found under Wright’s desk, his Aunt takes him to the front of the room and violently lashes out against him. By doing this Wright believed that this was an, “effort to rule me” (Wright 148) showing how the violence he had received from his family was in an attempt to show dominance over Wright. Often times when Wright is confronted with violence, he retaliates with violence to a more extreme degree himself. For example, Wright pulls a knife out on his Aunt Addie because she threatened to beat him for breaking the rules. However, Wright does

show how it is metaphysical concepts, such as knowledge, that saves him from the everlasting cycle of violence. While violence is the quick and easy answer it is clear that Wright strives to make attempts to stop this when he says, “the threats of my mother and grandmother had no effect whatsoever” (Wright 57) after attempting to read Bluebeard and his Seven Wives. It is made clear that it is his desire to gain knowledge that leads him to a more peaceful, and less violent, life. Instead of trying to fight Wright realizes how futile it is and comes to terms with what is truly good for him, knowledge. Therefore, for Richard overcoming this violence means gaining a better understanding of the world around him.
For Wright it is all of these conflicts are compelling forces in his life. He presents them to the reader through his own actions, as well as through the actions of others. Wright uses the conflicts he faces in order to give context for the actions he takes within the autobiography. This is because all of these conflicts are a driving force in Wright’s life. Ultimately, Wright’s actions and the decisions he makes serve to show the reader how he was able to overcome his insurmountable trials.