Black servant boy

Black Boy is an autobiographical novel of the American black author Richard Wright, published in 1945, i.e. into full Racial segregation. With the novel Native sound , written in 1940, Black Boy is one of the first novels written by blacks on their living conditions. This is why it is often considered that its author opened the way with the other black writers.

Summarized book

Richard Wright, 4 years old, puts fire at his house. It is as from this moment which the voyages begin to find (or find) a roof. The departure of his/her father does not arrange the things… Alcoholic at the 6 years age, Richard discovers his thirst for reading, knowing, of knowing. Left its alcoholism he attends various boarding schools and schools with the liking of the removals of his family. His/her paralyzed mother obliges her brother and him to turn over in her grandmother. Being rejected by all his family because of his inappétence for the religion, Richard fights to be able to leave childhood. The corrections with whiplashes, of rods of reed, belt or opera hats, make of Richard a revolted being. In his last school year, Richard writes his first history and is made publish by the newspaper of the city. Very noted for his last year of class, Richard sees himself granting the honor to make the speech of end of the year… that the director will want to ask him well to read! One day it leaves at his place and promises with his mother to make it come. It arrives at Memphis where it finds an employment in an optician. With hard gained economies Richard manages to make come his mother and her brother. His/her aunt joined them shortly after. Meanwhile become reader it leaves for North, leaving lasts it segregation of the South.

Presentation of the characters

Mr. Wright: His/her father factor and alcoholic who leaves the house
Mrs. Wright: His/her mother alone to raise them and which falls seriously sick.
His/her brother
His grandmother and her grandfather: Two authoritative people but who help well the family Wright
Aunt Addie: Authoritative teaching woman and excessively pious woman
Uncle Tom: Former teacher
Aunt Maggie
Uncle Hoskins

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