Please write your names here, only first names (replace the text)

Assignment for April 1-2

What is the main character in your book like? Describe him using words and phrases from the book. Record them here along with page numbers (43).

 The main charecter Richard in Black Boy is an angry child that doesnt get enough attention from his parents. Richard is also severley beaten by his parents. Richard often acts out a lot to get attention from his parents." I was wondering just how the long fluffy white curtains would look if i lita bunch of straws and held it under them." Richards parents werent paying attention to him so in return he lit the curtains on fire causing the house to burn down.  

What important thoughts and feelings does the character have? Use words and phrases from the book in your answer. Record them here along with page numbers (43).

Richard has bad feelings for his father. He doesnt seem to like him at all. Richard tries to do anything to make him mad and angry. One reason Richard doesnt like his father is because he beats Richard for anything he does wrong. "You know better then that. My father stormed!  

At this point in the book, how does the main character define who he is? Part of the idea of alienation and isolation comes as people struggle to find their identity. Find several quotes from the novel that illustrate this struggle for identity. List the quotes (with page numbers) and explain how they show this struggle.

Lightning presentation Black Boy2.pptx

"It was degrading to play with girls and in our talk we relegated them to a remote island of life.We had a somehow caught the spirt of the role of our sex and we flocked together for a common moral schooling.

Justin passage 1:

I could not talk; I could not explain how much I valued my code of solidarity. "Hold out your hand!" "Your not going to beat me! I didnt do it!" "Im going to beat you for lying!" If you hit me ill fight you!"...."Ill kill you! Ill kill you if you dont leave me alone!"

This passage is very important because it is the first time Richard stands up for himself and doesnt let someone beat him for something he didnt do. Richards Aunt was going to beat him for lying and for the first time in his life he didnt let it happen, he told her thqat he would kill her if she didnt stop. I think that from here on out Richard isnt going to let his family beat for things that arent worth him being beaten for. Richard is starting to realize that his family is messed up and that he doesnt want to deal with it anymore the only person in the house that he can talk to is his mother.

Justin passage 2:

"Dick, look, your black, black, black, see? Cant you understand that?" "Sure. I understand it," I said. "You don't act a bit like it," he spat.

I think that this passage tells a lot about Richard and his problem that gets him into a some trouble through out the story. Richard doesn't treat white people any diferent then he treats blacks which makes it seem to the racist whites that he doesn't put them on a higher level then himself. Because of Richard treating everyone the same hefound himself in some tight situations all throughout the story.Griggs really helps Richard understand that if he wants to keep a job he has to learn how to put white people on a higher level then himself.