Summary

Black Boy is the autobiography of Richard Wright. It was published in 1945 and was both a best seller and a Book of the Month Club selection.

Chapter 1. The autobiography opens with 4-year-old Richard bored and restless. His mother continually scolds him and tells him to be quiet, because his Granny, who is living with them temporarily, is gravely ill. Because of his boredom and impulsiveness he accidently sets the house on fire. His mother, both terrified and furious, beats him severely, nearly to death.

Hunger has always been part of his young life, but when his father abandons the family it becomes acute and severe. Eventually his mother gets a job as a cook and often takes him and his brother with her to keep them out of trouble. Richard watches “white people” eat lavishly while he has very little to eat. His anger at...