A childs personality is molded by a parents presence and the society.
Wright's autobiography, "Black Boy", uncovers the outcome that social restrictions and family influences have on a person. Richard Wright was a young man of extreme intelligence and openness to speak his mind. Richard's writings in "Black Boy" are a collection of his alienation from white society and from his own people. But most importantly his individuality. .
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In Richard's boyhood there was virtually no chance for a personality such as his to develop freely. Everything was against personal freedom, not only the white social structure, but the black as well. Richard was beaten, almost to death, by his mother. "I was lashed so hard and long that I lost consciousness"(pg.7) Richard was treated brutally and tyrannically at home in order to prevent his being treated the same way or worse outside of home and especially in the white society. His family tried to enforce a code of conduct on him, so when in the presence of whites he would not be harmed. "I have the choice of being beaten at home or away from home" (p20) It appears that Richard was more afraid of the punishment he would receive from his family, rather then the punishment he would receive from the white people. .
Richard was no more welcome in the white society than he was in the black.in the 1920"s discrimination and segregation was a major theme. The whites thought poorly of the blacks and the feeling was mutual on the other side. Richard was caught up in all of this. He really wanted to leave and move up north . But he didnt have the means to so he had to work. the first job he worked for was a newspaper company. What he didnt know was its was for KKK. "If you sell them you just helpng the white people kill you"(p131) Having black people sell papers that promote killing and hatred against them shows that white people do not care about black people just as long as they can get rid of them by any means.