Big Boy Leaves Home

by Richard Wright

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Summary

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The tale begins with a carefree day in the countryside where young African American boys revel in the simple joys of nature, unaware of the impending storm that will change their lives. As they break rules to indulge in some forbidden swimming, their innocence is shattered by a sudden, violent encounter. This turning point drives them toward a desperate escape, forcing Big Boy to navigate the harsh realities of his world.

The Joy of Youth

Our story opens on a sweltering day with four young African American boys immersed in the exuberance of youth. They romp through the woods, laughing and singing, their playful banter peppered with jokes about topics they barely comprehend. Their journey takes them to a secluded swimming hole, its serene surface belying the "no-trespassing" sign sternly declaring, “Ol man Harvey don erllow no niggers t swim in this hole.” Ignoring the warning, they dive into the cool water, their laughter harmonizing with the natural symphony of chirping sparrows and buzzing bees. Oblivious to any danger, they bask in the sun, unaware that their idyll is on the brink of disruption.

Shattered Innocence

Their joyous retreat is abruptly interrupted by the presence of a white woman, whose sudden appearance injects panic into their carefree afternoon. Chaos ensues as the boys scramble to cover themselves, their innocence starkly contrasted against the woman's fear and frantic screams for her husband. Big Boy, in his rush to gather their clothes, freezes in terror mere feet from her. Her husband, Jim, appears clad in an army officer’s uniform, wielding a rifle. Mistaking the boys’ frantic movements for aggression, he shoots Lester and Buck, who are merely trying to reach Bobo for their clothes. In a desperate struggle, Big Boy wrests the rifle from Jim, inadvertently firing it. Jim falls, and the boys, shaken and disoriented, flee into the shadows of the woods.

Return to Reality

As they make their way home, the weight of their actions settles heavily on them, marking the end of their childhood. While Bobo is consumed by the fear of lynching, Big Boy clings to the hope of reaching his family. Upon arrival, Big Boy’s father, Saul, sternly questions his son, ensuring the boys maintained their distance from the woman. As community members gather, Elder Peters voices the grim reality: a lynching is imminent. Recognizing the threat, they decide Big Boy must flee. With a plan in place for him to hide in a brickyard kiln, his mother provides him with sustenance for the night, urging him to meet Bobo at the designated spot.

A Night of Fear

Clutching his mother’s homemade cornpone, Big Boy races against time, the glow of the setting sun guiding him to the kiln. Once there, he methodically selects a kiln for refuge, his thoughts a whirl of remorse and imagined heroics. He envisions a confrontation with the white aggressors, dreaming of revenge and courage. Yet he knows his fantasies of resistance and triumph are just that—fantasies. As darkness descends, the distant sounds of a searching mob curl his blood with dread. The clamor grows louder, culminating in the horrific sight of Bobo's brutal capture and murder. Fear stiffens Big Boy, who can only listen in horror as the mob takes trophies from Bobo's body. As they disperse, a dog sniffs him out, risking exposure. Driven by survival instincts, Big Boy silences the animal, clutching its lifeless form as exhaustion finally claims him.

The Break of Dawn

Morning finds Big Boy awakening in the kiln, reality crashing down with the sight of the dead dog beside him. The night seems surreal as...

(This entire section contains 714 words.)

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he processes the remnants of what transpired. The sound of a truck signals his next move; Will Sanders has come as promised to spirit him away to safety. Big Boy is bundled into the vehicle, hidden beneath a trapdoor. As the truck rumbles away, Big Boy takes in the shifting scenery, his future uncertain yet firmly rooted in survival. A brief stop allows Will to offer him water from a hat, a small but significant gesture of humanity. The journey continues, the truck speeding him toward an unknown fate, and as Big Boy curls into sleep, the harsh initiation into a world of violence marks his reluctant passage into adulthood.

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