Black Boy is an autobiography of Richard Wright's life. Throughout his life, Richard experienced many hardships and overcame many obstacles. Living in the south as a young African American during this time was rough, especially for Richard, who never fully understood the idea of being subservient to whites. Richard spat upon the concept of conforming to what others believe. He felt that everyone should be their own individual with their own ideals. This way of thinking often got Richard into trouble. Coping with insecurity and poverty, victimization, and ambition are all things that Richard encounters while trying make a better life for himself.

At the opening of the book, it seems as though the Wright family is another typical "nuclear family" with a mother, father, and two children. It soon becomes clear, however, that this family is definitely not normal. Richard's father leaves his family and...