Critical Analysis of Wright's Historic Work, "Black Boy
Critical Analysis of Wright's Historic Work, "Black Boy"
Although taking place in differing locations, times, and overall surroundings the young lives of Richard Wright (depicted in his autobiography Black Boy) and Kate (a.k.a. Kaila) Simon (depicted in her memoirs Bronx Primitive) were both severely affected by their guardian’s disciplinary actions. Throughout both of their youthful years Richard and Kate were marred by the always overlooking consequence of what might happen to them if they broke the rules. Because of this installed fear of consequences of their actions the two’s outcomes in life were drastically altered, from what they would have been without the so called necessary discipline needed. However what seems to be the most influential is the reasoning behind the punishment, and the seemingly vital explanation that is needed with the severe disciplinary actions that took place over the durations of both of their lives.
Childhood is usually a time of sunny days, soft breezes blowing clouds across the deep blue sky. The days are never-ending joy, a blank canvas to paint with beautiful memories… unless your childhood was Richard Wright’s. His youth was a cold bleak existence. It was carved with hatred, and overlaid with hunger and severe discipline. There seemed to be little hope for one born to such an allotment of terrible misfortunes. For it was not his family that Richard could turn to, instead he was forced to turn away due to the immense fear of “being beat to an inch of his life” (BB p.54). Sadly just as his family dismissed Richard the seemingly unfeeling eyes of the rest of the world were turned away from him as well. Due to life’s cold-shoulder Richard was left him very alone to do as he pleased and knew, as long as he abided by the harsh guidelines that he so commonly crossed. But because he so rarely was taught the consequences of actions before they occurred he had to learn very commonly the hard way, of learning through the horrible consequences that followed. In the end Richard was always left terribly sore, and confused rarely knowing the exact reasons behind his infamous beatings, leaving him to find out life’s misfortunes all on his own. Such as “What in Gods name have you done? She asked. The kitten was making noise and Papa said to kill it….You fool!”...