Authority and Egoism in "Black Boy"

Paper Summary:

The paper examines Richard Wright's autobiography "Black Boy" and identifies how authority was the cause of Wright's egoism. The paper explains how the authorities in the book are all imbued with deep rooted racism, so the only means of survival for Wright is to embrace egoism. The paper highlights how, in the book, more than anything, authority is shown to be continuously abused and in that abuse is the destruction of any societal unity.

From the Paper:

"Richard Wright's autobiography Black Boy (1944) shows extreme distrust and distaste for almost all authority. Wright wants to establish himself as a helpful and respectful member of society, but he wants to do this on his own terms, allowing himself to define himself as an individual. However, it is the various authorities in the book, whether they be familial, moral or societal, that keep Wright from achieving his goal; the authority of the hegemonic culture, steadfastly opposed to resistance of any kind, is constantly thrusting an identity on Wright, hindering his own self-integration and causing deeper distrust and resentment. It is the authorities in the book, all imbued with deep rooted racism, that makes it so that the only means of his survival is to embrace egoism."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Medlin, Brian. "Ultimate Principals and Ethical Egoism." Morality and Rational Self Interest. Ed. David P. Gauthier. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall Inc. 1970. 56-63.
• Moore, G.E. "Is Egoism Reasonable?" Morality and Rational Self Interest. Ed. David P. Gauthier. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall Inc. 1970. 48-55.
• Wright, Richard. Black Boy. New York: Perennial Classics. 1944.

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