Introduction


Richard Wright
Richard Wright is best known for his controversial novels as well as his troubled life. Wright’s first story was published when he was just 15. His difficulties began in Chicago when he joined the John Reed Club, which was mainly run by communists. He was eventually denounced by both communists and African Americans who thought he acted too “white.” Wright’s most famous novel is Native Son, which has been criticized for its violent themes. Wright also wrote the influential autobiographies Black Boy and American Hunger. During his later years, Wright moved to Paris and became a French citizen. He wrote about many of his experiences abroad and always retained his far-left political views. 

Essential Facts

  1. Native Son was the first book by an African American author to be chosen as a Book of the Month Club selection.
  2. Near the end of his life, Wright discovered a strong interest in haiku and wrote over four thousand of the short poems.
  3. Many parts of Wright’s books that were deemed too controversial because of violence, sexuality, and politics were cut in the original publications. In 1991, they were rereleased in restored versions.
  4. Wright got dysentery in 1957 and suffered from ill health until his death in 1960. His daughter insists that he was murdered.
  5. Wright was asked to join the Congress for Cultural Freedom, but he declined due to his ties to the CIA, which had him under surveillance for many years.
 

Recommended Resources

  1. Black Boy Summary and Study Guide - Richard Wright
  2. Native Son Lesson Plan
  3. Native Son Summary and Study Guide - Richard Wright
  4. Richard Wright Biography / Profile
  5. Richard Wright Criticism

All Resources

Display as: Categories, List
  1. (Lula) Carson McCullers Criticism | Richard Wright
  2. American Hunger Review - Richard Wright
  3. Arna Bontemps Criticism | Richard Wright
  4. Big Black Good Man Summary and Study Guide - Richard Wright
  5. Big Boy Leaves Home Summary - Richard Wright
  6. Black Boy Lesson Plan
  7. Black Boy Review - Richard Wright
  8. Black Boy Review - Richard Wright
  9. Black Boy Summary - Richard Wright
  10. Black Boy Summary - Richard Wright
  11. Black Boy Summary - Richard Wright
  12. Black Boy Summary and Study Guide - Richard Wright
  13. Black Boy/American Hunger Summary - Richard Wright
  14. Bright and Morning Star Summary - Richard Wright
  15. Bright and Morning Star Summary and Study Guide - Richard Wright
  16. Juneteenth Review - Ralph Ellison
  17. Lawd Today Summary - Richard Wright
  18. Lawd Today Summary - Richard Wright
  19. Native Son Lesson Plan
  20. Native Son Review - Richard Wright
  21. Native Son Review - Richard Wright
  22. Native Son Summary - Richard Wright
  23. Native Son Summary - Richard Wright
  24. Native Son Summary and Study Guide - Richard Wright
  25. Native Son: Videohound Movie Retriever
  26. Richard Wright Biography / Profile
  27. Richard Wright Biography / Profile
  28. Richard Wright Biography / Profile
  29. Richard Wright Biography / Profile
  30. Richard Wright Biography / Profile
  31. Richard Wright Criticism
  32. Richard Wright Criticism (Vol. 1)
  33. Richard Wright Criticism (Vol. 14)
  34. Richard Wright Criticism (Vol. 21)
  35. Richard Wright Criticism (Vol. 3)
  36. Richard Wright Criticism (Vol. 4)
  37. Richard Wright Criticism (Vol. 9)
  38. Richard Wright Review - Hazel Rowley
  39. The Long Dream Summary - Richard Wright
  40. The Long Dream Summary - Richard Wright
  41. The Man Who Lived Underground Summary - Richard Wright
  42. The Man Who Lived Underground Summary and Study Guide - Richard Wright
  43. The Man Who Was Almost a Man Summary - Richard Wright
  44. The Man Who Was Almost a Man Summary and Study Guide - Richard Wright
  45. The Outsider Summary - Richard Wright
  46. The Outsider Summary - Richard Wright
  47. Uncle Tom's Children Summary / Study Guide
  48. Wright, Richard 1908-1960 - 1940's The Arts
  49. Wright, Richard [Nathaniel]: The Oxford Companion to American Literature
  50. Wright, Richard: The Oxford Companion to English Literature
  51. Wright’s Native Son Depicts Racism in America: Salem on History
  52. Zora Neale Hurston Criticism | Richard Wright