After reading Richard Wright's autobiographical work titled Black Boy, describe some developments in Richard's character over the course of the...

During the course of Richard Wright’s autobiographical
work titled Black Boy, the character of the protagonist can be seen
from a numbering of distinct, and often significantly different,
perspectives.

At the beginning of the book, Richard, as a
young boy, is defiant. He literally plays with fire and thus accidentally ignites a
blaze that damages much of the family home. Individualism and a refusal to conform will
be major traits of Richard’s character throughout the book, and this theme is
established very early in the work.

In dealing with other
members of his family, for instance (including his “Granny” and his aunt Addie) young
Richard is often very defiant and independent. Later, though, as he becomes older and
has to deal with some racist white co-workers, he suffers real fear. Thus,the older
Richard becomes, the more he learns from personal experience the dangers and
disadvantages of being an African American in the America of the early twentieth
century.

Another change in Richard’s character involves the
development, as the book proceeds, of his ability to feel at least some affection toward
others. Early in the book, his attitude toward others often seems a bit cold and
callous. Later, however, especially in an episode involving a generous widow and her
daughter whom he meets in Memphis, Richard seems more appreciative and more capable of
warmth.

Finally, a major change in Richard’s character is a
growing sense of maturity and resourcefulness as he ages and as he begins to contemplate
a move from the racist South, where he often feels terrified, to what he hopes will be a
better life in the North. His clever attempts to use a local library, for instance, is a
good example of his growing ability to cope with the challenges he faces as a black
person in a racist society.

As I say in my discussion of
this book in the Student’s Encyclopedia of Great American
Writers,

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The pattern established by the opening
description of the fire is repeated consistently throughout the book: Young Richard
challenges or defies authority and is swiftly punished, and often the punishment is at
the hands of his own
family.

By the end of the
book, however, Richard is increasingly free from the influences of his family and also
of others who might try to restrict his growing independence.