In the book Black Boy, Richard Wright faces violence almost on an everyday basis. Whether it was from the Whites, bullies trying to steal his money, or even his parents, violence was there. However the older and more educated Wright became the less he had to use violence and the more writing became, for him, a powerful tool.

Early in Wright's childhood, violence was common for him. His parents would often beat him, to chasten him for a wrongdoing. In the first chapter Wright actually hid under a burning house because he knew that if found he would be beaten.

"I would be beaten. I did not care anymore. I knew what was coming" (pg.6)He was beaten, and in fact beaten so badly that he almost died:

"I was lashed so hard and long that I lost consciousness. I was beaten out of my senses...