Author Richard Wright is well known for his novel Native Son and autobiography Black Boy. These books explore what it was like to grow up black and poor in America during the 1930s and 40s. Although Wright became famous for his writing, some Americans, including his own daughter, are still discovering who Richard Wright is and why his writing is significant. Listen to learn more about the impact Richard's Wright’s experiences and writing had on his daughter, his readers, and aspiring writers.
Story Length: 6:36
© 2008 National Public Radio, Inc. Used with the permission of NPR. All rights reserved.
08/18/2008
https://app.listenwise.com/students/lessons/431-richard-wrights-life-informed-his-writing
What impact did Richard Wright’s life and writing have on his family and on his readers?
What facts support the notion that Wright grew up in poverty? How is this reflected in his writing?
How are Richard Wright’s experiences and his daughter’s experiences alike and different?
How can “Native Son” and “Black Boy” help readers to learn more about growing up in the south as an African American during the 1930s and 1940s?
Why is it important to understand the impact Wright and his writing had on others?
