Big Black Good Man Essay

Words: 1851
Pages: 8
Open Document
Big Black Good Man The idea of racism and prejudice has seemingly always been apart of society. Whether it were to be as bad as a full out segregation of schools or just underlying thoughts. In the short story “Big Black Good Man” by Richard Wright. The narrator has a limited omniscient point of view. This gives us great insight into what the main character Olaf Jenson is thinking about the other character Jim throughout the story. Richard Wright did a great job of giving us a look into what was then and may still be today, an example of the average racist. The short story “Big Black Good Man” by Richard Wright, begins with the main character Olaf Jenson sitting at his desk in a hotel in Copenhagen, Denmark. In the beginning …show more content…
In his mind it just was not fathomable. “He was being a fool; there was no doubt about it. But, try as he might, he could not shake off a primitive hate for that black mountain of energy.” Throughout the short story it becomes more apparent that Olaf is racist. While he may not be a full blown out racist at this point of the story. It is obvious that Olaf does not like the fact that he had to give Jim a room. Olaf feels frightened and insulted solely because Jim does not fit into a category that Olaf see’s as acceptable. This is exactly how many people today who are racist may react to someone who they see as unfitting to society. Jim stayed at the waterfront hotel in Copenhagen for the entire six days, requesting the same thing each day. All he wanted was a bottle of whiskey and Lena, every night. By the sixth night Jim came into the office and asked Olaf what he owed him and told him that he needed his money. “Sure,” Olaf said, relieved, but filled as always with fear of this living wall of black flesh.” (187) Jim went to finally leave and Olaf was very relieved that he was going to be on his way and out of his sight and mind. But something stopped Jim as he was leaving. He turned around and approached Olaf and commanded him to stand up. Olaf scared that he was going to be killed by this man did as he said and stood up. Jim then put his hands around Olaf’s neck. Jim then smiled and gave a chuckle. “Please don’t hurt me,” Olaf managed to say.” “I wouldn’t hurt
Show More

Related Documents: Big Black Good Man Essay

Big Black Good Man Analysis

Blaze Llanos 10/10/2013 Assignment 1 “Big Black Good man:” Olaf’s Inadequacies. Olaf, an average man with an average life has an average job that he sees as respectable and he believes his life is good. However, when he saw Jim for the first time, his life turned upside-down. His own inner fears overcome him. His own insecurities gripped himself. With each passing day, the fears and hatred became more obvious in his thoughts. In “Big Black Good Man”, because the author uses jealousy, insecurity…

Words 764 - Pages 4

Racial Discrimination Exposed In Richard Wright's Big Black Good Man

believe Richard Wright's story "Big Black Good Man" was written in a time when racial prejudice was a major issue in the American society. The major setting of the story was located near a dock side hotel in Copenhagen, Denmark. Within the short story many racial relations relating to what is going on still to this day in the United States is being expressed. The way Jim is treated in the story shows how discrimination still goes on to this day. Olaf is a young married man who works as a night porter…

Words 449 - Pages 2

How's Coming To Dinner Essay

see the big cities, get a job in the big city and want to find love in America where I can be anyone I want to be in life. This Quarter we have watched and discussed movies focused on interracial relationships and love, these movies was done in Hollywood: Disney, ext. These movies done in Hollywood depict or do not depict interracial couples sexually and they show black men who are in relationships with white women different and the same thing with white men who are in relationships with black women…

Words 400 - Pages 2

Essay on Life as an Anglo Saxan

me, Big Sexy. I woke up hungover, again, from some late night drinks at the tavern. But hangovers aren’t what they used to be anymore. Not remembering anything from the night before, I saw a nice looking loaf of bread that I just did not recall getting. I could only assume that Big Buns had come over last night and gave me bread for some fish. Big Buns was hands down the best baker in all of Wichamstow. He could bake anything the human mind can think of. If you think it, he will bake it! Big Buns…

Words 1065 - Pages 5

Similarities Between The Hunger Games And The Lottery

separate in many aspects but also very similar in other aspects. The Hunger games and The Lottery have varying symbolism, but have conflicts and societies that are very relatable. The Mockingjay in The Hunger Games represents hope and good things, while the black box in “The Lottery” represents fear and death amongst the people. Katniss takes the mockingjay from her district to the games and feels that it’s necessary to have it with her at all times. The mockingjay…

Words 829 - Pages 4

Identity In Richard Wright's Black Boy

Wright's, Black Boy, Richards race affects him deeply. His identity and his survival all come into question because of the way his skin is colored. Even when he was a child he noticed that some people have lighter skin than others. However he did not know the difference until he grew older. Still to this day, some people affiliate black people with criminals. White people and black people both identify Richard as a thief though he is not. In the world that he grew up in it is hard for black people to…

Words 496 - Pages 2

To Kill A Mockingbird Black Community Analysis

In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird the black community is looked down upon and is not treated in a fair way. Harper Lee has portrayed the black community positively. The time when the novel is based they show intense racism and inequality. Evidence is shown when the Tom Robinson trial is commenced and Calpurnia’s employment status. In the trial of Tom Robinson for the rape of Mayella Ewell and Atticus as his public defender. A black community was forever being looked down upon. Tom Robinson…

Words 814 - Pages 4

Westley And Buttercup Quotes

that the man he has been chasing his whole life now has an identity. Count Rugen is the six-fingered man that Inigo wanted to kill. From this moment on Inigo was planning his revenge on the Count. It was shortly after this moment that Inigo was able to fight the Count. Thanks to Fezzik this moment was a high point in Inigo’s life even though his health wasn’t at its peak. This was a quote said by the author, Westley, and Buttercup. It was at this moment when Buttercup figured something big out. Buttercup…

Words 1069 - Pages 5

Essay on Deadly Unna

 The picture we get of black in the first chapter is he is someone with a good sense of humour because he always calls the coach ‘Arks’ and because he buys stale waffles from Arks store in home he might hear him say arks.  I think Black realises how serious Arks is about football and that he feels a bit sorry for arks because he had been in eight grand finals and lost in all of them. Blacky doesn’t want to feel as if he has let down arks and the team and wants to give arks hope by saying, ‘don’t…

Words 455 - Pages 2

Plessy Vs Ferguson Dbq

the government not controlling any societal problems. As a result, Black Americans experienced segregation and disenfranchisement during this time period. The ruling in Plessy V. Ferguson resulted in many states segregating through the train cars, segregation laws, and the Jim Crow laws. To begin, segregation is when people separate from others based on their color. Usually, it is blacks being separated from whites. The black section is generally in terrible condition compared to the white section…

Words 1133 - Pages 5