Unnecessary Pain In Richard Wright's Black Boy

When confronted with pain, there are two options. The first is to remain passive and brave the pain, but the second is to make the most of and learn from it, which is exactly what Richard Wright does in Black Boy. Wright's several experiences with unnecessary pain in his childhood define his relationship with religion, intensify his attitude towards racism, and shape his character into adolescence. Unnecessary pain has been present in Richard's life since the beginning of the novel, most notably as he is beaten after unknowingly burning his entire house down out of curiosity. As the story progresses, Richard once again encounters this pain through his mother's sickness, his grandmother's attempts to convert him to Christianity, and his relationship
His words clarify how his painful experience with religion is akin to his reality of living under the effects of racism. In terms of religion, he feels that it is unnecessary to have fundamental guilt that requires turning to a higher power for forgiveness. In the same way, he cannot comprehend why one must conform to white social standards to live peacefully which eventually causes difficulties in his work
. . the meaningless pain and the endless suffering” (130). The scale of racism in Richard's life is far greater than religion for evident reasons. Clearly, he is frustrated for being punished for something so superficial, such as skin color, and subsequently gains insight into the suffering of others because of his newfound spirit to understand the status of his life (131). He directs his loyalties to the side of men in rebellion—the side of men struggling to wring a meaning out of meaningless suffering-- to try to come to terms with the meaning of living in a world full of racism