Black Boy is an autobiography about Richard Wrights life, and his struggle for freedom. Throughout this book, Richard strives to find a model of manhood to emulate, but ultimately fails. Richard fails in finding manhood to emulate in his father. In the beginning of the book Richards father leaves his mother for another woman, making life for Richards family even more so difficult. After all, my hate for my father was not so great and urgent as my hate for the orphan home, says Richard. When his father left, Richard and his brother were put into an orphan home, in order for their mother to work. When Richard, his mother, and his brother go to try to get money from Richards father, all he offers is a nickel to Richard which Richard refuses. Richard said that many years after, the picture of his father and the other woman by the fire, would surge up in my imagination so vivid and strong that I felt I could reach out and touch it. Richard was unable to find manhood to emulate through his father. Richard also is unable to find manhood to emulate through his Uncle Tom. Richards Uncle Tom and his family come to live with Richard. One morning when Richard was sleeping, his Uncle Tom asks him what time it is. Richard mumbles eighteen past five, and his uncle asks if that is right. Richard again mumbles, yes, and then curls back down into his pillow. Then he says, If its a little slow or fast, its not far wrong. Then Uncle Tom says back with an angry voice, What on earth do you mean boy? Richard finds himself very confused at this, not understanding what is going on. Richard asks what is wrong with what he said, and his Uncle tells him to Shut up! He then says that, This day Im going to give you the whipping some man ought to have given you a long time ago. Richard grabs razors, feeling that he should fight back, because there is no reason for him to be beaten. When Uncle Tom sees that Richard has razors, he starts to g...
