Black Boy Plot Summary

Black Boy by Richard Wright is a novel and autobiography all in one. Black boy takes us thought the young life of Richard Wright, who is both the author and the main character. Richard goes though many hardships growing up. The book is set in the early 1900's in the American south. Richards mother raises Richard in the harsh environment after Richard's father abandons them. Richards's main goal is to make it to the north.

In the book we relive different experiences in Richards' life. When Richard was just a small boy he was extremely curious and lit the white fluffy curtains on fire. This foreshadows how Richards's life is going to turn out. Growing up Richard had it tough during his early life. His father left him at a very early age, this left Richard and his mother to fend for themselves.

Richard grew up deprived of food and money. Once when his mom sent him to the store to buy food, Richard was jumped and robbed. He came home telling his mom what happened, why he has no food or money. Richards mom was nor sympathetic or angry. She simply sent Richard back multiple times, trying to teach him a lesson. He finally fought off the boys and brought back food. Fighting was a key part of Richards schooling. He was extremely nervous in large groups of people and often fought them off. Another way Richard coped with schooling was by creating a gang. This made Richard feel as if he was appreciated and welcomed.

Richard mother became extremely sick and had to be taken to Richard's grandmothers house in Jackson for care. During the stay at Grannies house, Richard grew to hate Granny. She would constantly force religion onto him, telling him that he was worthless if he was no Christian and that he would be going to hell. Another thing Granny did not approve of was Richard getting a job; she said that it was un-Christian. Richard convinced her otherwise.

Richard first job was selling papers, but later that turned out to be a KKK propaganda scheme. After that Richard held several houseboy jobs, which he could not keep. Richard refused to obey all the white house owners' rules and orders. Richard held other small jobs after that, but it was hard for him to keep them. He finally found a job at the optical company. The owner was a Yankee and was extremely kind to Richard. That job ended when two of the workers threatened to kill him.

Richard could not live or thrive in the south and decided that