The Library Card
Literal Comprehension:
A white man’s criticism of Mencken’s work in a newspaper put Richard Wright in a surprise and shock. The denunciation of the white man by another white man was a new knowledge born in Wright. His obsession that only black men are hated in the society of the white went false with his new experience which had gained through reading. This gave Wright a will to explore his world of battle between ignorance and knowledge, so he thought of reading further in order to update with the subject matter. Hence Wright borrowed Mr. Falk’s library card and pursued two of Mencken’s books thus making him aware to find a new spirit in himself. The reading gave him understandings that men are able to understand themselves and express their point of view through writings. It taught him the essence of reading and its impact in experiencing change. Further, more reading of other books blessed him with addiction that reading was a good thing. Gradually, he found that he had been treated badly by other fellow whites. He realized that only writing could help him to liberate himself as it could be used as a weapon against the oppressors. Meanwhile, he felt he would prefer living in the North than the South as found the South was ill-affected by the whites. He had transformed into a literate and thought that his education would not allow him to live a simple life a slave. However, he seemed confused whether he should travel to the North or stay in the South and fight against the whites through writings. He felt that he was not a competent writer at the time. But he was content that he was enlightened with knowledge that he had drawn from books.
Interpretation:
The story depicts a picture that man can bring a desired change in any sorts of environment when he demonstrates strong perseverance and devotion. Wright becomes a good reader and explores his world around when interest and enthusiasm spring in him. He struggles for his informal education and succeeds sincerely. This authenticates that passion of learning can ignite the light of knowledge in every human being no matter a man is free of chained. The story also portrays the miserable life style of the black community in the then United States of America. Wright is a mere representative who shows the plight of the black people during the twenties of the early twentieth century. They were not allowed to use the privileges and rights unlike the white people. They did not have their private happy life compared to the white men. Even their independent thinking was restricted through socio-economical and socio-political barriers created the white majority. Thus, minority of black people bore suffering and pain during the period. Wright’s preference to move to the North also shows that there were possibly groups of white men who were not as bad as thought of to be. The North during that time had welcomed the black men liberally unlike they were treated in the South. It shows that there can be bad men and good men in all kind of companies. Here, we understand that the priority must be laid upon education so as to aim at progress in life.
Critical Thinking:
One think strikes my mind throughout the reading of the text that how can a democratic country like the USA practice such kind of colour discrimination and racial injustice in its land. This is very surprising that the black people had to undergo such misery. It’s doubtful that such a country has been able to mark a glorious history through the time that has elapsed. We can assume the white men had bad attitude even in the field of education for they did not create any good provision of reading for the black community. Wright was not able to issue a book on his own name. However, he could get a book issued under the name of his master’s library card even without his presence. This shows that the then America pracitsed colour discrimination. Another critical think that I want to highlight is of Wright himself. The text doesn’t cite any instance that Wright was literate. If he had spent his life as a slave, how could he have been able to read books and make that level of reading and understanding is questionable.
Assimilation:
I myself am an avid reader of books and I have read plenty of books in my life since my childhood. Like Wright, I also feel that readings have brought a lot of understanding in me. I also do agree with them point that more than learning grammar text book, reading novels give you plenty of opportunities to understand our world with the power of language. Above all, the text is so much inspiring that it has forced me to do something good for the marginalized people in my society. We see many people in our society have very limited access to enjoy a happy life. Perhaps, I can create awareness in people to contribute for a noble deed in order to bring happiness in people.
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