Analysis The Man Who Was Almost A Man
Oxley 1
Curtis Oxley
Professor Hagler
AML 2020
5 June 2016
“Breaking The Shackles of The Past” “A meaningful life is not being rich, being popular, being highly educated or being perfect… It is about being real, being humble, being strong, and being able to share ourselves and touch the lives of others” (Unknown).“The Man Who Was Almost A Man,” a short story by the African American author Richard Wright, was first published in Harper’s Bazaar in 1939 under the title “Almos’ a Man”. Under its present title it appeared in Eight Men in 1961 (899). Wright was born near Natchez, Mississippi, and by the age of 17, he moved to Memphis on his own. His personal experiences of humiliation and hatred in a racially segregated South contribute to this …show more content…
Through the inner dialogue of this character, Wright is able to express himself and his own experiences at this age. In this sense, Dave becomes the embodiment of African Americans and their hidden anger regarding poverty. “Lawd, ef Ah had just one mo bullet Ah’d taka shot at tha house. Ah’d like t scare ol man Hawkins jusa little… Jusa enough t let im know Dave Saunders is a man” (907). Dave is expressing his anger towards Mr. …show more content…
Mr. and Mrs. Saunders display characteristics of a struggling African American family that experienced the Great Depression. When Dave brings home the catalogue he is borrowing from Fat Joe, his mother says, “Waal, thas good. We kin use it in the outhouse” (900). It is within this subtle expression that the author shows us the financial situation of the Saunders. Another indicator that Dave’s parents are of the Great Depression era is when he asks his mother “Ol man Hawkin give yuh mah money yit?” and she responds, “Yeah, but ain no usa yuh thinking bout throwing nona it erway. Ahem keeping tha money sos yuh kin have cloes t go to school this winter” (901). Due to work, and the financial instability that dictated the lives of those who lived during this generation, Mrs. Saunders is seen holding onto the mentality that every penny counts. The contrast between the home of the Saunders and Mr. Hawkins exhibits the
Curtis Oxley
Professor Hagler
AML 2020
5 June 2016
“Breaking The Shackles of The Past” “A meaningful life is not being rich, being popular, being highly educated or being perfect… It is about being real, being humble, being strong, and being able to share ourselves and touch the lives of others” (Unknown).“The Man Who Was Almost A Man,” a short story by the African American author Richard Wright, was first published in Harper’s Bazaar in 1939 under the title “Almos’ a Man”. Under its present title it appeared in Eight Men in 1961 (899). Wright was born near Natchez, Mississippi, and by the age of 17, he moved to Memphis on his own. His personal experiences of humiliation and hatred in a racially segregated South contribute to this …show more content…
Through the inner dialogue of this character, Wright is able to express himself and his own experiences at this age. In this sense, Dave becomes the embodiment of African Americans and their hidden anger regarding poverty. “Lawd, ef Ah had just one mo bullet Ah’d taka shot at tha house. Ah’d like t scare ol man Hawkins jusa little… Jusa enough t let im know Dave Saunders is a man” (907). Dave is expressing his anger towards Mr. …show more content…
Mr. and Mrs. Saunders display characteristics of a struggling African American family that experienced the Great Depression. When Dave brings home the catalogue he is borrowing from Fat Joe, his mother says, “Waal, thas good. We kin use it in the outhouse” (900). It is within this subtle expression that the author shows us the financial situation of the Saunders. Another indicator that Dave’s parents are of the Great Depression era is when he asks his mother “Ol man Hawkin give yuh mah money yit?” and she responds, “Yeah, but ain no usa yuh thinking bout throwing nona it erway. Ahem keeping tha money sos yuh kin have cloes t go to school this winter” (901). Due to work, and the financial instability that dictated the lives of those who lived during this generation, Mrs. Saunders is seen holding onto the mentality that every penny counts. The contrast between the home of the Saunders and Mr. Hawkins exhibits the