Hungry For Freedom
Gabe Cohen
	In the autobiography, Black Boy, Richard Wright hammers home the powerful, painful points of oppression, injustice and hunger imposed on blacks. In the early-mid 20th century the struggle between whites and blacks, and the struggle between blacks for justice and equality in society is apparent; Richard must fight his way to the top. Using powerful symbolism and personification, Wright shows the significant themes illustrating the problems that he and his people face in a very challenging time.
	At such a young age, Richard has to face the daunting reality that he is hungry. Wright describes hunger: “...standing at my bedside, staring at me gauntly.” Using personification, hunger is embodied as a physical being looking at Richard. While Richard can see the hunger in front of him, taunting him, but he cannot have it – his family is too poor. Throughout the novel, Wright reveals the themes by placing them inside of a body. Another embodiment of Richards hunger and oppression is his father. The epitome of Richard’s troubles, his father is shown laughing at his broken family’s trouble: “I wanted to take the nickel, but I did not want to take it from my father.” Coming from an adolescent boy, refusing money from his father to feed his hunger comes from very deep emotions, which signifies the magnitude of Richard’s troubles. Richards physical and mental hunger at a young age show him that the world is a cold place, where even his own blood won’t help him.
	Hungry to fight back, and hungry to be free from oppression in the 9th grade, as valedictorian, Richard gives his own speech, instead of the one he was told to give by the principal. “The hell with it.” said Richard. The scene after Richard’s speech is an example of Wright using Richard’s overcome oppression to show his inner conflict. The story cuts to after the speech – Richard declines invitations to graduation parties, and with Wright using powerful imagery we can see Richard walking away in a slow-motion like fashion with everything blurred around him except for his thoughts. Richard is baffled by society and its troubles.
	Oppressed by society, his family, and his school teacher, Richard must once again fight back against oppression. This time, the knife and blade are symbols for Richard’s fight against society and oppression. A heated frenzy – Richard’s knife “grabbed up” and “held read” for his own kin, his Aunt and teacher. Wrongly accused and hungry for justice - Richard would not stand for being beaten, he would not stand for tyranny and oppression. Richard later uses a blade to fend off his Grandfather in a similar situation. Richard’s use of knives and blades are an embodiment of his struggle; even if he has to fight.
	The symbol that Wright uses for honesty is work. From unknowingly selling racist newspapers to his neighbors at a young age, to working for abusive and ignorant white people as a house servant and employee at optical shops, Richard has worked for the oppressor. To overcome the reoccurring theme of oppression Richard contemplates stealing so that he can move to Chicago, escaping his treacherous past. As his hunger for freedom is metaphorically held from a stick in front of his face, Richard’s physical hunger fades – now a working man. Trying to “remain honest” Richard decides ultimately what needs to be done so that he can overcome his oppression and carry out his life. Stealing embodying all his life’s prior troubles, Richard’s “temptation to venture into crime” was too great, as he became a criminal. Putting others down so that he could get up was Richard’s only option, having to break being “honest” so that he could fulfill his life’s dreams. With help from Mr. Falk, the white light at the end of Richard’s tunnel of trouble, Richard befriends the oppressor, filling his hunger and overcoming his oppression.
	Wright’s use of strong symbolism and powerful personification give great imagery to the novel and overall story. Using symbolism, themes of hunger and hunger to overcome oppression and injustice in the world become apparent, along with a knife to fight his way to the top. Using personification, Richard’s problems are embodied and constantly watching over him like a ghost, reminding him that he must overcome them. In the end, Richard’s troubles force him to be strong and accomplish his goals.