Though richard shows signs of insecurity inferiority

Though Richard shows signs of insecurity, inferiority, and shame around some
whites, his self-assurance seems largely invulnerable, and his punishing childhood
only serves to convince him of his own right to succeed in the world. Moreover,
Richard ’ s difficult and isolating experiences as a child fuel his intensely powerful
imagination, his love of reading and writing, and his will to make his life feel
meaningful through writing about his environment.
Wright presents himself in several different shades throughout the course of Black
Boy . As a young boy, Richard does not believe the widely established ideas that his
blackness, lack of religion and intellectual curiosity make him innately imperfect.

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Rather, we find in Richard a character determined to live according to his own
principles and willing to live with the consequences. This uncompromising
temperament, however, contrast with Richard ’ s poor position in society-the low social
status that comes with being black and poor. Richard starts off, removed from society
and his family, to educate himself. A great deal of this education comes from his
experiences — in the homes of sharecroppers, as a black in the Jim Crow South, as a
resident of the cramped apartments of Depression-era Chicago. Obviously, there are
some negative aspects to the character. Richard, in the due course of life, lies, steals
and turns violent on numerous occasions. In a sense, he is a victim of his destitute
upbringing and becomes polluted by the domineering forces working in opposition to
him.
Richard remains deeply attached with people. He overcomes the negative and
weakening aspects of his personality. He makes people fall into his love. Richard ’ s
character does not exist in perfect harmony: at certain points, one trait will seem to
dominate, only to give way to other traits at other times. The character of Richard
Wright so convincingly has unevenness in all the traits. He has a self-contradictory
appeal that goes beyond the simple biographical facts of his life.
2. Ella Wright (Mother)
Richard ’ s mother, Ella Wright, abandoned by her husband, is the woman who single-
handedly put up with Richard and his younger brother, Leon. Ella is a stern mother
and tries at her best to control Richard. But she has to travel from place to place to
live safe and sound life. As a result, Richard is deprived of a stable home or
education. Ella suffers from strokes that leave her bed-ridden and paralyzed. She is
rather supportive of Richard ’ s defiant attitude toward his grandmother.
Ella is a sensitive mother. She has great influence on Richard right from his early
childhood. She very sternly administers a beating incident in which white boys might
have nearly killed Richard. Ella is the only authority figure to deliver punishment
when Richard commits punishable offenses. Despite her occasional brutal discipline,
Ella is devoted to her children and is fiercely determined to raise them successfully
after her husband abandons the family.

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Ella is very tolerate and affectionate towards Richard. When Richard publishes