Independence In Richard Wright's Black Boy

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Decisions are the most valuable conclusions in life. They determine the answer to whether or not we can label ourselves as independent. In other words, the choices we make strongly affect our humanistic need to depend on others. High levels of independence are shown in Richard Wright’s autobiographical narrative, Black Boy, as Richard made the choices of standing up for what he believed in, moved out to a new city, and took on a role of leadership.

Richard’s choices cause him to grow in the area of independence as he stands up for what he believes is right. For example, Richard did not recite the speech his principal wrote because he knew that the audience came to hear a genuine speech from the students. Instead, the young African American boy growing up in a heartless city, doesn't let anyone take his pride as he strongly objects to his principal’s command to read another speech. “Professor, I'm going to say my own speech that night,” I said.” (Wright, 175) The decision made by Richard demonstrates his ability to make choices by himself. He did not rely on the opinions of others to follow his principal’s orders, but instead looked at his own worth as a human being. Throughout the novel, Wright faces many other obstacles that give him the opportunity to become more …show more content…
Determining the level of independence in someone’s life strictly revolves around their skill of decision making. In the Novel, Black Boy,by Richard Wright, readers are able to understand this concept as Richard demonstrates the perfect example of an independent intellectual, forced to make tough decisions when facing obstacles in a cruel, prejudice environment. If it weren't for the rough times in life causing us to make decisions, our independence would never be affected. In other words, it’s the roughest times of life where we truly learn to depend on no one else, but
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