In Richard Wright's "Rite of Passage," Johnny goes under identity changes. He changes from a nice, happy, smart boy to a semi-hardened mugger. Johnny had the option to stay with a new family, he chose not to. He does not have a stable identity and is troubled by it. He has experienced too much change. Johnny's identity changes over the course of the book when he runs away from home, he suddenly ends up being the leader of The Moochers. This group of boys are not just any boys, they are a secret gang of muggers who walk around Harlem looking for prey. "Strip'em; he's tough," Baldy ordered tensely"(106). Johnny, when he runs away at first, honestly has no idea what will come next, and he may not be thinking into the future very much, and does not know what his identity will become. Billy tells Johnny about the idea of a secret organization of foster boys. He does not tell Johnny about the mugging; only tells him, he will be provided with food and shelter. When Billy gave him the note, he calls it the "passport to his new life." Johnny's identity is changed in ways he could never have imagined: he was challenged to a fight by Baldy, their former leader, and won. Then, he is made their leader. Johnny is not prepared to be a gang leader. This is apparent when he is shocked, as he witnesses a mugging of a man, by the gang. Towards the end of the book, this is probably where Johnny and his identity change the most during the entire book. .
A few of the factors that influence his identity are the fact that he has been psychologically traumatized by being forced out of home. According to Children Services Practice notes, separating children from their caregiver(s), to whom they are attached to, has both positive and negative aspects. " From a child protection perspective, separation has benefits. Separation temporarily frees the parents form the burden, allowing them to focus on making changes.
