The voodoo of hell's half acre

After carefully reading Black Boy, I have compared and contrasted it with our reading of character, Ragged Dick by Alger. There are a few similarities as well as a few differences in both character’s experiences in life. Similarities include the hardships they went through at such a young age, without the support of any family member they were out in the streets, with limited food and old clothing and had to suffice for themselves. I think the character of Richard Wright entailed more obstacles and hardships as compared to that of Ragged Dick, because he had to support his family and younger brother, Alen as well as his mother who was abandoned by her husband, Nathan who left the family after the house caught on fire incident that occurred by Richard. Another difference between the two characters is that Richard was into stealing and causing harm to others (when he used a knife at his grandmother and aunt when they were scolding him, or when he used a razor blade at his uncle when he was scolding him). Ragged Dick did not ever steal from anyone, he earned his food and shelter through his hard work and sincerity to his American Dream. The journey of Richard Wright exemplifies the hardships he faces on his path to achieving his American Dream, the story unfolds his travels from his burnt down house, to his Aunt Elaine’s house, to his Grandmother’s house, to his Uncle Clark’s house, trying to find a final destination. After these hardships, his ambition towards his American Dream became visible as his desire to achieve his dream brought him to finish 9th grade with the status of being valedictorian; then publishing in a local black newspaper a story titled, “The Voodoo of Hell’s Half-Acre.” This book displays the American Dream as not being one straight road, there will be many encounters of obstacles and dilemmas that arise, and your attitude towards those hardships will be the determination to where it will lead you, to success or failure. I think this story was a great example of the tough times that arise when being on the path to obtain your American Dream, as well as this time period of the Great Depression leaving many without jobs, especially Black individuals. I believe Richards, as well as his families dream was to be very wealthy, and have great jobs, and respect in society even though they were colored, however, during these rough times his father was the first to leave their side which broke the family up and Richard began to steal and drink just at the age of six. Richard seems to be tough to get along with due to his views and interests, his passion for Communism was appealing to him until he met people in this group heaving weaknesses and fears, because of this criticism he was dismissed form the Communist Party and his new dream was to write solo on his views and opinions he had of the world. I think his version of a perfect world would be according to his views and opinions, he was very quick to criticize others and very blunt about his teachings. The time period here made it quite impossible for the population to understand and be friendly with the Black’s. This made a big obstacle for the Black’s to achieve their American Dream; for example, when working at the Optical shop, Richard’s co-worker Olin begins causing misunderstandings and problems between him and another black worker, Harrison, so they would end up killing each other. Another example of the hardships the colored faced during this time was when his uncle Hoskins was killed by whites because his business was reaching a success point, and the white people did not approve of this. This book does have a way of displaying a version of the American Nightmare, however, since we must look at the positives of everything I think this book is a great choice for this course because it explains the reality of obstacles that will come your way while you’re on the path to achieving your American Dream. This book helps show that not everything is easy, and what we can do to prepare and become better individuals so we can help others attain their American Dream as well. This text also helps show us that if you are not white, what discriminations or limitations you might face and how to overcome those problems. I think this was a great lesson and great book to read, it help provide insight on others views and goals of the American Dream and how to plan it out so you get to your destination successfully with the least amount of obstacles.

Student 2： Madelyn Fumiatti

In both Ragged Dick and Black Boy, both the main characters are poor, however they are different races. Dick, who is white, does not seem to have an issue with anyone he comes across throughout the book, he loses his parents because they passed away. Ragged Dick also gets lucky with most things in life.

In the beginning of the book, Black Boy, Richard, does not see color in people until his mother explains how the "white man" beat the "black boy". At first, innocent, little Richard thought that the white man was the black boy's father and really thought nothing of the beating because he would constantly get beaten by his own father. But his mother explained the situation and after this, Richard noticed the difference of how whites treated blacks. Richard was fortunate to have both parents in the picture until his father could not take how Richard was acting anymore and left Richard, his brother, and mother for another woman. Richard and his family were left with no money and food, and just like Dick, he had to earn the money to provide food for his family. But because he was black, Richard ran into a lot more obstacles than Dick had ran into.

I'd say, back in those days, the American Dream was difficult to obtain by black men and women. As I said earlier, Dick was treated with respect most of the time and does not have many issues with others, this is assuming because he was white, but received much more respect after he received his new clothing. If Richard were to receive new, wealthy-looking clothing, I feel as though he would still have to tackle the same hatred and disrespect from whites. Sadly, in those days, with how everyone acted, I do not think it would be possible for Richard to reach the American Dream, but it would be possible for Dick to reach the American Dream. Since then, times have improved a lot for blacks, but there are still a lot of areas where they are mistreated and disrespected. However, I do think it is most definitely possible for blacks to achieve the American Dream today.

I think Richard's American dream is just to be accepted by everyone everywhere. He tries so hard to impress and "obey" his father, that he takes things that his dad says too literal, and ends up killing a kitten. When he was just 6 years old, he would go into a saloon and was getting drunk with the patrons of this saloon. Some patrons were telling 6-year-old Richard what to say to the women inside the saloon (which were assumed to be not appropriate sayings for a 6-year-old) and they would pay Richard a nickel or a dime for repeating what they had said to him.

I think Richard overdoes himself throughout part I of the book. He tries to impress everyone and act like a tough guy around the kids on the playground, he gets into fights, etc. In one part, it is only to protect himself, but after the first time this happens he continues to use such manner in times that he should not, like on the school playground.

I honestly think it is pathetic that people treated others in such way the whites treated in the blacks in this era. Even today there are stories that I hear and instantly think we are back in the Civil War era, which is totally, and utterly saddening. For some reason, whites felt that they were much greater than blacks during this time, and since they pretty much were in charge of all jobs, it made it impossible for blacks to make a decent income to even provide a decent meal for their families, let alone achieving the American Dream.

I believe this book is included in this course about the American Dream, because it shows that not everyone has it easy enough to achieve the American Dream. It gives us a different aspect of what the blacks had to go through to make the littlest money, and not even have the closest opportunity to achieving the American Dream. This novel was really and truthfully an eye-opening read for me, and how sad times were back then.

Sources:

Wright, R. (2006). Black Boy. Harper Perennial.