In "The Man Who Was Almost a Man," Richard Wright uses many details to create a sense of poverty and entrapment. ... The main character, David, is a young black man of seventeen who labors on a plantation. ... Richard Wright's description of southern plantation work includes a few details that emphasize the worker's real poverty and symbolic entrapment. ... Hawkins, the plantation owner, says to David: "Well, boy, looks like yuh done bought a dead mule!" ... David realizes that he will be trapped on the plantation and continue to get treated as a boy. ...

• Word Count: 776
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

In the short story "Almos" A Man" by Richard Wright, the main character, Dave, believes having a gun will make him a man but instead creates the opposite effect of behaving childish. ... However, his parents disagree and call him "boy" throughout the story. ... Yuh ain nothing but a boy yit!" ... When asked if he shot the mule "Dave cried, blurring white and black faces" (266). ... Richard Wright's short story, "Almos" A Man" reveals the immature effects of a gun possessed by a boy not ready to be a man. ...

• Word Count: 630
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Search for One's Identity Richard Wright's, "The Man Who Was Almost a Man", is a fictitious short story about an uneducated black boy's quest to become a man. Growing up in the early 20th century was a very hard task for most black people. ... The story centers upon one seventeen-year old boy who has very low self-esteem caused by his peers. ... (Wright 720). ...

• Word Count: 704
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School