Violence and Oppression in Wright's Black Boy

922 Words2 Pages

Violence and Oppression in Wright's Black Boy

"You are dead to me dead to christ!" In the following paragraphs,

violence and oppression in Ch. 5 will discussed and analyzed through examination

of Richard Wright's --author of Black Boy(1945)--use of diction, tone, and

metaphors. Were people of his time to read this book it's probable that they would understand, wheather they agree with the author's point of view or not, the

amount of violence and oppression witnessed by a boy his age. Richard Wright,

through the the use of the words his senses produced, brought his past into

light for the children of the future. He allows his readers to feel as he did

under the light of strong persecution with the use of an intimidating, heartfelt

tone.

"The cosmic images of dread were gone and the external world became a

reality, quivering daily before me. Instead of brooding and trying

foolishly to pray, I could run and toam, mingle with the boys and

girls, feel at home with people, share a little of life in common

with others, satisfy my hunger to be and live."

Wright fills the chapter with a calm and mesmorizing tone; like that of

a preecher drawing his audience into a hymm. Omisdt violence, under anger and

fear, Wright converses with the reader as though he were a youth leader telling

a story to a group of boyscouts outside by a campfire. His spellbounding words

chant the reader into his world and produce a map through which the reader

follows his life in the shadows of others. " I mingled with the boys, hoping to

pass unnoticed , but knowing that sooner or later I would be spotted for a

newcomer. And trouble came quickly- a bloabk boy came bounding past me, thumping

my hat to the ground and yelling." To keep his audience from dazily drifting

into a state of semi-consiousness, Wright interjects into his prayer with action

in an excited and staggering tone.

"A blow landed on the back of my head. I turned and saw a brick

rolling away and I felt blood oozing down my back. I looked around

and saw several brickbats scattered about.

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