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An Analysis Of Richard Wright's A Visit To The Library

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Richard Wright in the story, “A visit to the Library” 2015, explores that Richard Wright has come to terms with reality, the ignorance, and realization of the environment surrounding him. Over and over he is instructed on what is an acceptable thought process, the curiosity of the boy eventually concludes with exposure on the situation of colored people in the south. The main theme of the story is his position within society, and awareness of the situation in order to come to terms with the illusion. This reading is really aimed at skeptics, to question and challenge ideas, beliefs, and positions, even our own no matter how painful the truth can be. My thoughts on Richard getting the wake up call on his world around him is one of joy, would …show more content…

To be bound to a false mental illusion? “A Visit to the Library” has many similarities to the tale of Adam and Eve, the forbidden fruit, and attaining knowledge from the tree of good and evil. It practically explains and answers the questions, gives a detailed analysis on the compression and contrasts between the analogies. The young gentlemen gains information through many of his readings as Adam and Eve did through the fruit, he becomes aware of his position, how he’s programed and viewed by society. Same for them, the couple comes to a sense of understanding of their nakedness and is judged by the creator. But there are many contrasts for one Wright is not being judged by a benevolent creator, but a bigoted society, Mr. Richard Wright is taught what information he should accept and what is not acceptable, this ultimately leads to his curiosity to why H.K. Mencken is being denounced by the local newspaper. I quote “I wondered what on earth this Mencken had done to call down up him the scorn of the South.”( 141). His friend Mr. Falk also suggests to the boy “But you ought to read the right things.” (142), his mental reply “Would he want to supervise my reading?” (142). The boy decides he does not want to remain in the dark any longer on why he is condition this way. His fascination lead to him, absorbing information which expands his mind, this shows him the reality of him and his fellow Negros are perceived and judged by society. The character becomes shocked at what he understands now, the truth for him is difficult to accept as he tries to find ways to cope with his new reality. The truth comes out, and he makes the choice of not wanting to live as society expects of him. Finally coming to terms with his reality, Richard Wright wants to choose his own destiny. To conclude, Richard Wright falls into hopelessness, he says “I wonder how long I could bear it.”( 149), over and over repeats the

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