Introduction
This paper explores the theme of hunger as described by the writer. The hunger he describes does not only describe physical hunger but also demonstrates several other forms hunger. This paper defines the term hunger, describes other forms of hunger, and finally tries to interpret Wrights form of physical hunger to find out if it is representative of something.
Hunger is a term that can be used in most cases to describe a person’s desire or feeling that follows the need of food. This definition denotes the physical form of hunger where an individual who is hungry strongly needs food to eat and satisfy him. In the first chapter, the writer depicts Richard’s family as haunted by hunger and staying in poverty. The family’s is made worse when the father abandons family and leaves Richards mother a lone to fend for the family (Wright chap. 1).
Main body
Hunger can also take other forms besides describing a strong desire for food mainly caused by poverty. For instance, hunger may take other forms such as; intellectual hunger where an individual has a strong desire to learn or gain knowledge, it may also take the form of hunger for freedom, for instance, to free oneself from bias and other forms of discrimination, desire for trust , and hunger for economic freedom.
Richard feels both physical and intellectual hunger when he pretends to subscribe to the Grandmothers religious beliefs. He feels that his Grandmother’s religious beliefs makes him underfed and also limits his intellectual growth. The kind of education Richard received at the religious school did not allow any other literature a part from the Bible. Richard’s Grandmother and aunty Addie considered any other literature as “the Devils work” (Wright chap.4). Richard feels that religion is an obstacle set up by authorities to merely make him conform. This indicates that he yearns to gain wide knowledge a part from religious knowledge. Richard’s hunger for knowledge is also profound in chapter five, when he informs a white woman about his desire to a writer. The woman’s prejudiced response through her comment made Richard to leave the job. He had the right judgment to move rather stay in an environment not conducive for him to realize his dreams. In chapter seven, his strong urge to write grows. This is indicated when he composed a short story “The Voodoo of Hell’s Half” (Wright chap.7). The story gets published in the local newspaper. Despite of the constraining educational system, his desire for writing grows even more.
Another important form of hunger exemplified in the narrative is Richards hunger for independence. Wright explains that at the early age, Richard learns to be independent and was always willing to fight out of necessity. For instance, when the school Principal offers him a pre-written speech, he refuses to read it. His desire to be independent is also depicted in his quest for employment. He is determined to make more money even if it meant sacrificing his morals. This is shown when he sales bootleg liquor to prostitutes in the hotel and when he a get a job at the theatre, he participates in a ticketing scam that enables him a mass enough money to move out (Wright chap.10).
Conclusion
Wright’s physical hunger is representative of many things. The theme and basis of the whole narrative stems from Wright’s physical hunger. This is depicted when Wright describes Richard and family as living in poverty and without much to eat. This situation serves as a ring around which Richard’s dreams and desires are born. The image of hunger strengthened Richard to desire and dream for knowledge, economic independence, a writing career, society free of prejudice and oppression, and most important his desire to communicate to society through writing.
Cited Works
Wright R. Black Boy: Toronto: HarperCollins Canada. 2007.