Literary Analysis Essay of Richard Wright's The Man Who Was Almost a Man
The Man Who Was Almost a Manis a short story written by Richard Wright. It was first published in 1961 and is considered as one of the most notable works of the author. The story revolves around the life of Dave, a young African American who works is a farm and his struggles in finding and accepting his true identity as well as power in the South. In the narrative, the author presents to the readers two important themes. This includes control and struggle. And in this story, both themes are exemplified by the protagonist (Brignano 27).
Control and power are two interconnected theme evident in the story. In the narrative, the author presents his main character as someone who is stripped off of any personal and economic control and power. As an African American laborer, it is clear that Dave finds himself powerless and helpless. All his life, he has been a victim of many abuse, exploitation, as well as humiliation largely because of his color and social status. He is forced to work in a field which he never receives any form of compensation, and has to endure the discrimination and suffering. He knows very well that his standing hinders him from pursuing his dreams. Alternately, he believes that the only way in which he can take control of his own life and to regain power is by owning a gun. Hence, he looks at the gun as a key which will enable him to become more manly and powerful. This is best expressed in the passage:
"Could kill a man with a gun like this. Kill anybody, black or white. And if he were holding his gun in his hand, nobody could run over him; they would have to respect him” (Wright 12).
This very passage indicates that Dave is greatly blinded with his desire to take control of his life. the gun is representative of how desperately he wants to feel a sense of power, mainly because all his life, he felt nothing but abuse and suffering. Therefore, owning a gun would easily allow him to put an end to this suffering, and in the process gain respect from other people. It is however, important to point that Dave only sees power and control; and he fails to see that this control only comes out of his anger. Also, the theme of power and control is closely linked with the issue of race. Dave musings include having the desire to kills those who have abused and ridiculed him. This destructive desire is mainly a result of the racism (Flora 512).
Connected with this theme of power and control is also the concept of struggle. Struggle however in this story comes in two forms – struggle to find his true identity and the struggle to become free. In many ways, this story shows how Dave is in the crossroad of finding his true identity. All his life, he felt mothing but pain and suffering. In fact, the abuse is so much that he has come to believe that it is an indelible part of his identity. His desire to own a gun comes from the dream of ultimately finding an identity which does not involve suffering. The protagonist is similarly struggling to find freedom. Since he had known only pain, he wants to run away from this so that he can finally live a different life: "Ahead the long rails were glinting in the moonlight, stretching away, away to somewhere where he could be a man” (Wright 28).
This passage represents his deeper struggle of oppressive racism and poverty. His decision to ride the train mirrors his desire to be free. And by being free, he is asserting his control over his own fate.
Based on the points provided, it can be argued that the author used two important themes: struggle and control. In the story, both are closely relate with one another and are exemplified by the beliefs, desires, and suffering of the main character.
Works Cited
Brignano, R. Richard Wright: An Introduction to the man and his work. NY: Pre Publishing, 1970
Flora, J. The Companion to Southern literature. NY:LSU Press, 2002
Wright, R. Eight Men: Short Stories. NY: Harper Collins, 2008
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