Black Boy – Socratic Seminar 1
Chapters 1-4
1. Read the first two full paragraphs on page 37. Wright speaks about the lasting effects of the fact that “Negroes had never been allowed to catch the full spirit of Western civilization” and wonders if having access to this full spirit was the means for many positive human qualities to be “fostered, won, struggled and suffered for, preserved in ritual from one generation to another” (37). What is your opinion regarding the question he poses? Have some African Americans been hindered from developing certain positive qualities because of generations of institutionalized racism? If so, what negative consequences has the black community suffered? If not, what is to blame for their struggles? What support do you find in the characters in the book, such as Richard, his mother, Granny, etc. What support do you find in today’s society?
2. Reread the “rambling talk” between Wright and his gang friends that begins at the top of page 79. After each piece of dialogue, Wright provides insight to the underlying emotion behind the words. Although the words may seem to have “no specific aim or direction, the underlying meaning gives insight to how the “culture of one black household was thus transmitted to another…and folk tradition was handed from group to group” (81). Although the rambling talks promoted a feeling of fellowship and belonging, they also perpetuated fear, hate and violence in respect to white people within the black community. As a result, Wright develops a deep dislike and distrust of white people although he has had little to no interaction with them. Based on the text, why do you think the rambling talks are so successful in spreading this prejudice even in the absence of personal evidence? What connection does this have to race relations today?
3. Wright says that his mother’s suffering was the impetus for “a conviction that the meaning of living came only when one was struggling to wring a meaning out of meaningless suffering” (100). What does Wright mean by this? Do you agree? Explain. He goes on to say that this conviction made him “gravitate toward others whose feelings were like my own” and made him “strangely tender and cruel, violent and peaceful” (101). Why do you think this is? Does this prove he is more enlightened or more damaged? More moral or less? Provide evidence for your conclusion.
4. In Chapter 4, Wright writes about his inability to tell people what they want to hear even when he knows it is in his best interest. He must say what he believes is the truth. As a result, he alienates those around him such as his Aunt Addie, Grandpa, and Granny. What do you think his behavior signifies? What are his underlying motivations? What about his past life provides a reason for his inability? Is this highly moral behavior or just selfish indulgence or something in between? Explain.