Wright and The Delivery Man

During the discussion, last Thursday Bridget made an excellent point about the scene where the delivery man teaches Richard Wright to count. When I first read the passage I thought it was merely the instance where Wright’s education began. Although, Bridget’s comment made on the genuineness she discerned during this passage allowed me to view the scene in a different light. The delivery man was perhaps the one only man, to leave a positive impact on young Richard Wright’s life. This delivery man took time out of his busy day to teach a young boy a vital skill, as opposed to ripping off Richard’s family. 

The absence of a strong male role model in Wright’s life because his father abandoned Richard’s family when Richard was six, leaving Richard, his brother, and mother starving. Even when his father was around Richard describes a deep hatred  for his father’s rigid, unflinching, rules. Moreover, Richard’s father never tried to aid Ella Wright with the financial burdens of raising two boys, instead mocking Ella Wright and Richard, only offering Richard a measly nickel. 

After further investigation into Richard Wright’s life, I came upon how intelligent Wright truly is. Wright earned the title of valedictorian in middle school and only discontinued attending high school to support his mother and brother. Without the aid of the delivery man who first noticed how intelligent Wright was, would Wright’s mother had taught him to read, or have sent him to school? The world appeared to be out for Richard Wright with his difficult childhood and unstable home environment, but perhaps the compassion of a stranger was all needed for the people in Wright’s life to detect his potential.