The Role Of Acting In Richard Wright's Black Boy

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All the World’s a Stage Acting is one of the most prominent forms of art, it is undoubtedly creative and it takes an unfounded amount skill. These impressive displays are used in a variety of forms, though, not in all cases for entertainment. In Richard Wright’s own memoir, “Black Boy”, performance is not used to please a common crowd of onlookers. On the contrary, Richard must use acting to physically, by means of food, and socially survive in a racist world. Richard grows up in the American South, where he is constantly told what to do to be successful and appease others. On a day to day basis, Richard deals with pressure from his friends, as they have expectations that need to be met, and family, as they put religion ahead of his wellbeing. …show more content…
Richard’s family, specifically his grandmother, is strictly religious, thus, he must constantly attend church and say prayers. Richard understands that “it was no longer a question of [his] believing in God... if [he] refused [to join the church], it meant that [he] did not love [his] mother” (Wright 154). Richard is forced to act like he appreciates the various values that the religion holds. If he does not continue acting, many people will look down on him for not paying respect to his sick and loving mother, although he does appreciate her. Further, if Richard is seen to not value the religious aspect of life, the larger and older generation would shun him. Along with family, Richard also feels he has this obligation to his friends. He must put up a facade to make friends and not appear completely isolated from society, which, in his eyes, can result in ridicule. Richard acts “reserved with the boys and girls at school, seeking their company but never letting them guess how much [he] was being kept out of the world... acutely self-conscious, but covering it with a quick smile and a ready phrase” (Wright 126). Richard has a plethora of responses ready to answer any questions regarding his hunger and money situation. This kind of lying is seen to be necessary to fit in with the other people in his school. Richard believes that the only way to keep his limited number of friends is by acting like he is in a better financial situation. Richard must put up a show because if he does not then, he feels, he cannot be accepted by some of the most precious and important people, his friends and his
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