Essay | The Main Characters Actions in Gary Soto's "Behind Grandma's House" and Richard Wright's Black Boy

Gary Soto's "Behind Grandma's House" and Richard Wright's Black Boy, presents two characters with an intense need for attention. The approval from their family, friends, and even strangers elicits defiant acts of misconduct. These rebellious behaviors lead to random feats of violence and a lack of respect towards authority.

To begin with, both Richard and the boy can be compared in their wanting for attention. The boy in "Behind Grandma's House" did everything that he did to get attention from everyone. When the boy was "kicking over trash cans" or "[kicking] fences," (Soto), he was making a lot of commotion. All he wanted was for anyone to notice him and to acknowledge what he was doing. Plus, all of his acts were done because he desired action. In addition, Richard from Black Boy wanted attention mainly from his immediately family. To get their attention he set the curtains on...
(read more)