Misconceptions In Richard Wright's Short Story 'Big Black Good Man'

Andrew Weaver Weaver-1 "Big Black Good Man"� In the short story, "Big Black Good Man,"� written by Richard Wright, we are reminded of one of life's little lessons that can be applied to one's everyday life. Most often, it is described as, "do not judge a book by its cover."� This expression teaches the principle that one should not create bias opinions, prejudice thoughts, our premature judgments of someone merely based on their physical features. Though it may seem childish and simplistic, this short story proves that misconceptions that cause false conclusions can arise in all ages of life. The story begins by introducing an elderly man by the name of Olaf Jenson. Olaf works at a hotel that is located near some boat docks in Denmark. A majority
The fact that the hotel lies in the shores of Denmark, the reader must picture what kind of characters(tourists/sailors) may be coming in and out of the hotel. The story is told in third person narrative and continuesas Olaf boringly sits at his desk. Then suddenly an extremely large man fills the door way. He is described in the story, "his chest bulged like a barrel; his rocklike and humped shoulders hinted of mountain ridges; the stomach ballooned like a threatening stone; and his legs were like telephone poles"�(Wright 209). This giant frightened Olaf very much as he asked for a room. Stunned by this man's unusual size, Olaf neglected to answer the man's request. Finally, after gathering himself he told them that there was a room that he could stay in. The two men converse and the huge man, Jim, says that he will be staying for almost a
Olaf did what the man had asked but created a great fear of him because of his enormous size. From the moment that Olaf saw Jim tower over the door he developed a prejudice mentality that developed fear towards Jim. The following night, Olaf returned to work for his shift. At about two o' clock in the morning Jim came to Olaf asking to see the same hooker, Lena, again in his room. This continued every night until the sixth day in which Jim had planned to leave. That night came and Jim had come to pay his bill and get his money from Olaf. The money was exchanged, however, Olaf's sense of fear caused an uneasy feeling between the two men. The scene is described, "then a strange tension entered the office. The office door was shut and Olaf was alone with the black mass of power stood still, immobile, looking down at Olaf.....Olaf was paralyzed. Sweat broke on his face. His worst premonitions about this black beast were coming true. This evil blackness was about to attack him, maybe kill him"�(213). At this point Olaf's worst nightmare has comes true. The giant then grabs Olaf, "he lifted his mammoth hands to Olaf's throat. Olaf had long known and felt that this dreadful moment was coming.........he could not move"�(214). At this