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Title: Black Boy by Richard Wright, Peters Brock ISBN: 0-89845-917-6 Publisher: HarperAudio Pub. Date: 01 June, 1998 Format: Audio Cassette Volumes: 2 List Price(USD): $18.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.3 (116 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Excellent description of negro life in the 1920's
Comment: "Black Boy" is a great autobiographical book written by Richard Wright. Richard, the main character in the story, goes through many trials and tribulations in finding what he loves to do- write. The description of the hardships of negro life in the 1920's and how discrimination ran rampant was excellently described by Wright....the only flaw is maybe a little overexaggeration going on in the descriptions of racism and other hate from whites towards blacks. Richard Wright descibes well though the trials and tribulations of an average negro in American society in that time period. This book is great for teenagers; over the age of 16 though. I say this because vulgar language is constant throughout the story and a couple sex scenes are described explicitly in the book. This is a must-read for young adults.
Rating: 4
Summary: Black Boy, A Hero
Comment: The book that I enjoyed reading was Black Boy by Richard Wright, an African American writer of the early 1900's. Black Boy is an autobiography of Richard Wright's life from birth to his mid-thirties. The book discussed the racial prejudices that Richard Wright and other African Americans endured in the North and the South. Based on his progressions as a reader and writer, which he accomplished through hard work and large amounts of reading and writing, I found him to have the many characteristics of a hero, such as discipline, intelligence, and determination.
When Richard was a child, he was constantly hungry and had poor schooling because only his mother supported him and his brother, Alan. As he grew up, his hunger forced him to find a job. Due to racial discrimination, Richard could not learn a trade, but he still showed discipline as he continued to do the best he could. As a result of working with whites, Richard learned what society expected and thought of him as an African American. Since many whites believed he was inferior, he could only address them as "Sir" or "Madam." Although he was mocked and felt anger towards the whites, like when he was offered money to fight another African American, he still treated them with respect. I thought that these actions showed extreme discipline because he was very careful not to let his anger get the best of him, for he might make a poor mistake. As he moved to the Northern parts of America, Richard experienced new freedoms and wasn't not looked down upon for his strong passion for literature. He no longer had to borrow a library card from Mr. Falk, his co-worker, and forge Mr. Falk's signature to use it. Richard Wright's strong desire to read grew even more and he became very determined to write like the professional authors such as Mark Twain and William Faulkner. He showed to be an intelligent and determined student when he graduated high school as valedictorian and wrote his own speech to read instead of the professors. Perhaps Richard Wright loved literature a great deal because it allowed him to escape from his stress with the outside world, especially as an inferior to many. His desire for reading constantly grew, and he learned to use words as weapons by writing poems. H.L. Mencken, a critic of the white South inspired Richard, and read his books by borrowing a library card from a man he worked with, Mr. Falk. As time passed by, Richard joined a writer's union, which happened to be Communist. When he first entered, he was a bit skeptical. He mastered the many skill of writing and progressed in position from a curious writer to the chief editor of the union's magazine, New Masses. He developed a unique style of writing and won an assortment of prizes and awards, like Springarn Medal from the NAACP. In his later years he published many short stories like "Big Boy Leaves Home," and a few novels, such as Uncle Tom's Children. Richard Wright's determination and self-discipline proved to be efficient qualities because they gave Richard a whole new mind and the literacy which helped him cope with his emotions of the world. Overall, Black Boy described the differing amounts of discrimination he received as moved more North and how he endured it, which was through literature, despite the objections of white people.
I believe that Richard Wright was a hero because he showed determination to learn and disciplined himself not to pour out his anger when whites verbally abused him for it. In return for his love for literature, he became full of knowledge and won many awards for his writing. I believe he wrote Black Boy because he wanted every person to know the truths about the capabilities of African Americans and the cruelty of racial discrimination and prejudice. He served as a beacon of hope for the racially persecuted; that advancement in position and honor is possible, no matter what the other race wants or thinks. He emphasized a theme in the power of words, whether spoken or written (The pen is mightier than the sword). Richard Wright used his words as weapons to abolish racial discrimination and prejudice, which may be the primary reason for the writing of Black Boy. Richard Wright displayed heroic qualities when dared to learn even when he knew he would be humiliated, showing self-discipline. His determination and passion for literature forced him to work extremely hard, but his perseverance rewarded him in the end with understanding and knowledge of literature and society. I believe that this book was a worthwhile read because Richard's lifestyle inspired me. He persevered through times of trouble, working diligently and with determination to acquire the fulfillment of achieving a goal, even when looked down upon. To me, this is one of the greatest examples of a hero.
Rating: 5
Summary: A Book to Remember
Comment: Black Boy, an autobiography written by Richard Wright, describes what many average African American children faced growing up in the Jim Crow South. Wright described the poverty that he, his friends and family lived through and the agony and dangers they had to face day-to-day. Wright also described the unfair treatment from white people that African Americans had to endure and ignore. He also described how white people treated African Americans as slaves. Wright wrote in excruciating detail bringing to the reader what life was truly like in the South and in the U.S. in the early 1900s.
I enjoyed reading Black Boy since it gave me insight into how African Americans were really treated in the South. The book really showed me the crisis that America was in over racial segregation. Black Boy also described the despicable acts that white people committed on African Americans for pleasure and entertainment. Richard Wright's actions showed me how a person that is always put down can still strive to be the best. Wright never gave up and kept on dreaming about his goals in life. Wright's book really showed the determination that one can have. His actions in life influenced me to never give up and to keep on trying no matter what someone tells me to do. This was a great book and if one wants to understand what things were like for African Americans in the South in the 1900s, they should read it.
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Title: Black Boy (Cliffs Notes) by Carl Senna ISBN: 0822002426 Publisher: Cliffs Notes Pub. Date: 05 May, 1971 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
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Title: Native Son (Perennial Classics) by Richard A. Wright ISBN: 0060929804 Publisher: Perennial Pub. Date: 01 September, 1998 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston ISBN: 0060931418 Publisher: Perennial Pub. Date: 01 December, 1998 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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Title: Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison ISBN: 0679732764 Publisher: Vintage Books USA Pub. Date: 01 March, 1995 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Matthew J. Bruccoli ISBN: 0684801523 Publisher: Scribner Book Company Pub. Date: 01 June, 1995 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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