Please post a response to the following questions concerning Richard Wright's "The Man Who Was Almost a Man." Your responses should be 200-300 words for each question. Please respond to two other student's responses (minimum 200 words).
1. Does Wright's use of early African-American dialect make the story a more authentic read for you?
2. What role does the gun play for Dave? Why does he need/want a gun? What are the sources of Dave's needs?
3. What does the accidental shooting of Jenny reveal about Dave?
4. What evidence is given in the story to support Dave's rebelliousness or hostility? Do you sympathize with Dave?
1) Although this authentic southern language is hard to read, it does add to the story by allowing the ready to better understand; not only the time period, but also the ethnicity of the main character and the people around them. This dialect does add to the authenticity of the story also. It gives the reader a feel for the emotions used by each character while talking.
2) Like the ability to drink at the age of 21 and smoke at the age of 18, I belive David viewed owning a gun as a "rite of passage". He wants people to stop looking at him as a little kid, and begin to realize he is becomming a man. David believes if he purchases a gun, people will begin to think higher of him, in regards to a child and a man. when David asks his mother for money to but the gun, she tells him right then that he doesn't need a gun because he is a child. After the purchase of the gun he ends up shooting and killing a mule, and still people do not view him any differently. The mule killing, gun shooting, field working David, is the same David who everyone views as being a little boy. Thus saying, Davids plan did not work.
3) The accidental shooting of Jenny the mule, shows that David is still too young to be considered a man, and way to young to own a gun. Through the whole story david is portrayed as being a young innocent boy that works hard for his money, but is still TOO childish to keep the money that he earned. The shooting of Jenny just strengthens the argument of the pople surounding David that say he is too young. David is still a little boy, not yeat a man. Just the fact that David does not know how to even hold the gun, much less fire it, should throw up a red flag. the mother should have never given into her son, and stuck with her original thoughts, that her son is too young to own a gun. But the killing of Jenny the mule is great evidence that the mother needs to reconsider how she looks at her son, and what she allows him to do.
4) In my openion david is a rebellious child. He goes to the store at the beginning of the story, and obviously he is trying to hid something from his mother because he lies to her and tells her that he stopped by to talk to some of the "guys". David tries to get his mother to give him money to buy a gun, nad even though she knows that he is too young to own a gun, he keeps bugging her about it, so she gives in and gives him 2 dollars to buy the gun. When he buys the gun, he does not the what his mother says, but instead he stays out late and then goes back and hides it under his pillow. Throughout the whole story there are places that show how David is a liar and a rebellious child. But the major thing that sticks out to me is that when he shoots the mule, he paces back amd forth trying to come up with a story of how the mule killed herself. I do not sympathize with David because he knew what he was getting into. I believe David earned the punishment that he was going to receive.
1. Richard Wright’s use of early African-American dialect does make the story a more authentic read. At some points it becomes somewhat difficult to read but it helps the reader depict the time period, the ethnicity of the characters, and overall, it helps the reader understand the characters. Dave’s way of talking reveals his was of thinking as well as his emotions.
2. In the story the gun plays a major role for Dave because it is supposed to symbolize that he is a man and not a kid anymore since he is almost 17 as he argues. For this reason Dave wants a gun and Mr. Joe from the store offers him his for two dollars. He thinks that by having a gun he will earn respect from the others and not be seen or treated as a “little boy” anymore. Which in reality with his actions he demonstrates that the gun didn’t make him much of a man. After killing Jenny, the mule, on accident he was to scared to stand up for the consequences he had to face, which doesn’t make him anything close to a man. After he tells the truth of how the poor mule died, the others actually laughed and didn’t really show the respect that he thought he would receive. Then, just like any other little kid who does something bad, his parents yelled at him and was punished or was to be punished.
3. The accidental shooting of Jenny reveals Dave’s immaturity since he didn‘t know what to do after he realized that he had shot the mule. Irresponsibly he tried to stop the bleeding alone and was thinking of something to lie with and make up for what had happened, instead of going to look for help and try to save Jenny‘s life. He might well almost be seventeen but that age doesn’t make you a man. One’s actions and your way of thinking is what depicts whether you are old enough or not. He does work for his own money and like he says he is almost seventeen but the way that he thinks still makes him a “little boy.” Dave thinks that by having a gun he will earn respect and not be seen like a kid anymore. Which in reality the gun doesn’t give him any sign of respect from anybody. Due to his way of using the gun, he is seen more as a kid who obviously didn’t know what he was doing. He was incapable of holding the gun correctly and even worse didn’t know how to shoot it, since he closed his eyes and hurt himself.
4. There is many evidence in the story that supports Dave’s rebelliousness or hostility. In the beginning he expresses the way he feels about talking to the other Negros in the field and thinks of how he will one day have a gun and they won’t talk to him as if he was a little boy. He also lies to his mother about why he was late for super and then talks her into giving him money to buy a gun even though she tells him that he is still to young. Just like any other little boy he talks around to get what he wants and even though he promised to get home and give the gun to his mother he waits until he knows that everyone is asleep to go in the house and avoid giving his mother the gun. Again the next day, he even skips breakfast and runs out of the house before he was seen to go and try his gun after reporting for work. But mainly in the end when he was trying to sleep but was instead thinking of what had happened, his thoughts of wanting respect, and then going of to find the gun and start shooting to feel “power” shows his rebelliousness. Even more when he just decides to leave, without saying anything or leaving a note to say that he is leaving, in order to go “somewhere where he could be a man….” I don’t sympathize with Dave because even though I know that when we are young we tend to rebel at some point, most of us know when we are doing bad and stay to suffer the consequences. We don’t run off to escape and find what we think would be better for us.
1. Wright's use of early African-American dialect does make the story a more authentic read for me. Even though it was kind of hard to read, this made me imagine the real way that people talked during that time. The way they talked made me understood Dave better. This dialect revealed what Dave’s feelings and emotions were, as well as how he felt about the way his life was.
2. The role that the gun plays for Dave is a major one. It is the main symbol of the story, which represents Dave becoming a "real man". The gun is very important to Dave, for him having a gun, is becoming a man. He thinks that by having the gun, he'll earn the respect that a man deserves. He wants all the Negros to stop saying that he is still a little boy. Dave thinks that that shouldn’t be that way, because he is almost seventeen and he works like every other man do. After hearing all man that work with him talking about the guns that they have, he goes and buys a gun from Mr. Joe. He is grown and manly now; therefore he should have a gun. As soon as Dave gets the gun, he feels that he has the power that he always wanted. He's not a little kid anymore, according to him.
3. The accidental shooting of Jenny reveals that Dave is not prepared to confront the world by himself. He still needs of his parents; he still is a kid even if he does not think so. Whenever he went to the fields to shoot the gun, he shoots Jenny, the mule, and he felt bad for it. He did not know what to do. He was trying to think what kind of explanation he would give to Mr. Hawkins. Dave was scared, like a little kid when he has done something wrong, and knows that consequences are about to come. This showed Dave that by having a gun, he wouldn't get respect. All the people that knew about what he had done were laughing; they did not think that Dave was a man just because he had a gun. Instead they believed that he was a little kid, who irresponsibly used a gun. The fact that he did not eve know how to shoot it, made of Dave more of a child. Dave’s parents were going to punish him for having a gun, and for killing the mule. Dave didn't know what else to do, so he just started crying like a little kid, because he still was a little child, who did not understood that life was beyond a gun.
4. Throughout the story, we find out a lot of evidence showing that Dave is being rebellious, and hostile. Since the beginning of the story Dave wants to show that he is a man. He asks his mother for money to buy a gun, and his mother gives him the money, but Dave must bring the gun back to her as soon as he gets it. First of all he lies to her because he promised to bring the gun back to her, but he didn’t. Whenever he got home he told his mother that the gun was hidden outdoors, which was not true, he had the gun with him. He disobeyed his mother, and the next morning he took the gun with him to work. Without any responsibility, he took the gun and shoots it, hurting Jenny the mule. The part where Dave becomes more rebellious is when he takes the gun and leaves, “Ah betcha Bill wouldn’t do it! Ah betcha….” (p.341) Here he is showing that he is brave enough to do whatever he wants to do without the permission of anybody.
Please post a response to the following questions concerning Richard Wright's "The Man Who Was Almost a Man." Your responses should be 200-300 words for each question. Please respond to two other students' responses (minimum 200 words).
1. Does Wright's use of early African-American dialect make the story a more authentic read for you?
2. What role does the gun play for Dave? Why does he need/want a gun? What are the sources of Dave's needs?
3. What does the accidental shooting of Jenny reveal about Dave?
4. What evidence is given in the story to support Dave's rebelliousness or hostility? Do you sympathize with Dave?
1. Richard Wright's use of use of African American dialect makes the story more difficult to read but more authentic at the same time. Wright's use of past African American dialect helped me understand the feel and place of ttime period, the environment in which Dave and his family were surrounded in, and the emotions in which Dave and his family display throughout the different parts of the story. 2. The gun in this story plays a crucial role with Dave. The gun serves Dave as a way of showing his transformation from a small boy into a man. Dave also views the gun as something only a man can have the right to own. Dave wanted to purchase the gun because he wanted people to start respecting him and he wanted people to begin thinking of him as a man not as a small child. Even though Dave thought buying a gun would make him become noticed as an adult it did exactly the opposite. People questioned his needs to buy a gun and even his own mother told him that he had no reason to buy a gun because he was still but a mere child. The sources of Dave's needs come from always being viewed as a child. Dave has but one wish and that is to be looked upon by other people as a man. 3. The accidental shooting of jenny, the mule, reveals to me that Dave is just not quite ready to become a man. He is still but a child who was afraid of taking the giant step into manhood by shooting the gun with his eyes closed and head shrugged away to the right. The accidental shooting also reveals to me that since Dave never listened to his parents, an action that comes only from children, then disobedience obviously shows clearly to the reader that Dave is not ready to take that bold step into manhood. 4. Some evidence that is presented in the story about Dave's rebelliousness is the fact that Dave begs his mother for money knowing that she will provide him with the money instead of asking his father because he knows that he would say no. Next Dave disobeys his mother when she tells Dave specifically to bring her the gun after he purchases it. He disobeys her and he stays out late with the gun so that he could return when everyone was asleep and keep the gun in his possession. Later on his rebelliousness back fires on him when he takes the gun with him while with Jenny and he accidentally shoots Jenny. I sympathize a little with Dave because he wants people to respect him and look at him as an adult instead of a child. but i dont sypathize also because of his actions of disobedience to his parents. If Dave would have just listened to his parents the entire controversy would have been avoided.
1.Richard Wright’s use of early African-American dialect in, “The Man Who Was Almost a man,” certainly makes the story more authentic. It makes the story more interesting and really allows the reader to fully experience the piece. By using this early dialect, Wright enables the reader to understand and interpret the characters. It makes the characters come alive in a sense. While it may be difficult to read at times, it grants the reader a way to "step into the story," so to say. When reading Dave’s lines, I was able to imagine myself in his position, I was able to play out a scene in my head. The way the characters speak define who they are. Through their dialect they enable us as readers to comprehend their emotions and feelings. If the author would have written this piece in modern dialect, the readers would not have gotten the full effect. They would not have had the same connection to the characters as they do now. I believe the author chose to write this piece with the early dialect to allow the reader to grasp the time period as well as the to truly depict the authenticity of each character.
2.Dave strongly believes that by obtaining a gun he will somehow reach manhood instantly. He believes that by the simple act of owning a gun all the respect and rights of a man will be his. When Dave asks his mother for money to buy the gun she denies him, telling him he is but a child. She tells Dave that he has no need for a gun; a gun is a dangerous weapon that only men should handle. This in turn makes Dave want the gun even more. He probes his mother a bit longer, telling her that “we needa gun in the house.” After reflecting upon the idea a bit she finally gives in granting Dave permission to buy the gun under one condition, that “it be fer pa.” His desire to be a man comes from the fact that he is treated as a child. The gun for him seems to posses some sort of power that will allow others to see him as a man. Dave’s misconceptions toward being a man cause him to get into much trouble. He has this extremely false idea that possessions give rights. This could have rooted from his mother’s conditions under which he could buy the gun.
3.The accidental shooting of Jenny only proves how far away Dave is from becoming a man. His extreme desire to shoot the gun only highlights his child-like qualities. He is like a small boy, impatient to play with his new toy. When he finally gets to shoot his new toy, he ends up shooting Jenny. He is frightened by the occurred and tries to fix everything by himself, afraid of the consequences. Instead of going to get help he does nothing because like a child who has done wrong, he is afraid of what is to come. If he would have gotten help right away perhaps Jenny could have been saved. As the plot progresses Dave’s childish qualities are more evident. First he tries to make up a story as to what happened and then when he is discovered he begins to cry like a child. This incident only goes to further prove his immature state. Dave has this awful misconception regarding manhood which causes him to get into a lot of trouble. This misconception could have rooted from the idea that his mother would only allow him to have a gun if it was for his father. He believes that by possessing a gun he is automatically a man and that he is entitled to certain rights. He naively believes that possessions give rights. It is true that when one is considered a man more freedoms are given, but it is not these freedoms that make one a man, rather the thoughts and actions ones pursues.
4.Dave is treated like a child everywhere he goes. His rebellion roots from this. His desire to be treated otherwise compels him to act in a rebellious manner. Dave believes that by acting this way he can gain some respect when in reality he is just seen as more of a child. Once he obtains the gun he disobeys his mother because now he feels that he is a man and doesn't need anyone to tell him what he can and cannot do. This proves to be disastrous as he is still a child and doesn't know what to do. His hostility is not present until after the accident is discovered. Once the truth of Jenny's death is revealed the men around him laugh. This sparks something in Dave and he just can't let it go. Acting upon this sudden rage he leaves his house to locate the gun once again. He finds it and starts shooting it around like crazy in hopes of perfecting his skill. After doing so he begins to think of the tasks that await him. He can't stand to think of having to pay two dollars a month or being worked like a mule and then beat. Dave runs away to a place where he can be a man. I have sympathy for Dave to a very short extent. Sometimes being treated as a child can be very frustrating but rebelling is certainly no way to show that you are not one. Rebellion often shows the lack of maturity that one possess. My sympathy stops there. Dave should have listened to his mother. Everything else would have been prevented by doing so.
1. The early African-American dialect, was some what hard to read for me. I had to keep on going back and reading each sentence. I believe that the early Afro-American dialect made the story more authentic, it made me feel as if I talked like that it also made it very fun to read. I felt as if I was the actual protagonist in the story.
2. The gun that Dave buys plays a major role in the story because Dave views the gun as if it can change him from a teenage boy to a man. Dave states in the story "Ahma ol renough to hava gun.Ahm seventeen. Almost a man... Shucks, a man oughta hava little gun aftah he done orked hard all day." He wants a gun because he thinks that by having a gun he will become a man. Dave wanted all the other Negros to stop say he is a little boy. Dave wants to earn the respect of all the other men.
3. Dave having shot Jenny made him really scared like a the little boy he was. Being so scared about Jenny dying he buried the gun next to a tree, as soon as I read that I thought to myself, you need more than a gun to be a man. Dave showed the fear of a little boy which revealed he was still a little boy.
4. From the beginning of the story much evidence is given that supports Dave's Rebelliousness and hostility. Dave wants to prove to everybody that he is a man by having a gun, just because he hears all the other men talking about their guns, why not prove he's a man with something else? He is eager to buy a gun a begs his mother for money to buy "...a left-handed Wheeler. A pistol." having begged his mother for money shows that he is still a little boy, but by his eagerness he did not notice it. He also disobeys his mother when she tells him to bring the gun right back, he lies to her again that night and tells her the gun is hidden somewhere. Right away I saw his rebelliousness and hostility. Of course I have a little sympathy towards Dave because he wants to be respected, but maybe is sat down and thought about how to win peoples respect he would have gotten it, but he didn't instead people laughed at him for having to kill a poor innocent mule.
1. Richard Wright’s use of early African-American dialect makes the story more authentic, because the reader has a deeper understanding on the originality. Is harder to understand the dialect, but at the same time they are communicating in their language at that particular time. This helps the reader to understand the characters better; their culture and style.
2. The gun plays the role of entering manhood. Dave wanted to have a gun because he wanted others to look at him and realize that he was not a child anymore. He wanted to feel powerful and make others respect him. Unfortunately, with his actions Dave demonstrated that he was still a child. In the first place, Dave lied to his mother when he bought the gun, and instead of giving it to her; he kept the gun. Later, he wanted to fire the gun, and was acting like a little kid with a new toy, and the result was he ended up killing the mule. When his mother asked him to tell what happened, he lies again. Dave wanted to run out of the situation instead of facing his actions like a man. When Dave tells the truth on how he killed the mule, his parents punished him like any other parent would have done so. The people that were looking; actually laugh about him instead of admiring his courage.
3. The accidental shooting of Jenny, the mule, revealed that Dave was still a child that does things without thinking on the consequences. Even though he didn’t want to shoot the mule, he ended up killing it. This shows that Dave is too young, and he still needs a long time of experience before becoming a man, regardless of his age. Dave was a kid that wanted to feel powerful and respected by others but by owning a gun did not mean that others would respect him; they might be scared but not respectful. Due to the fact that he did not even know how to hold the gun and shoot, implies that he does not even know what he was doing. This also reveals that his mother had some responsibility also, because Dave did not think as a man, his thoughts were still like those of an irresponsible child. She obviously has to take care of her child more responsibly, and be more careful with him. As a mother she should of stay straight with her thoughts in the beginning; on not wanting him to own a gun. Dave tried to help the mule stop bleeding instead of going to find help, and later he was afraid of facing his actions and decided to lie. At the end, the people that were there sow Dave as an irresponsible kid that did not how to do things correctly.
4. Through the story there is much evidence that supports Dave’s rebelliousness or hostility. In the beginning he wants to buy a gun, and lies to his mother; he tells her that he was talking with the boys, but instead he was at the store looking for a gun. Then he is still thinking on buying a gun even though his mother did not wanted him to do so. When he finally convinces her and buys the gun, instead of giving it to his mother as she asks him to do, he keeps the gun and waits until his family are asleep, so that his mother does not ask for the gun. All of these actions reveal his rebelliousness toward his mother. When he goes and fires the gun, is also an example of his immaturity. I personally do not sympathize with Dave because he is obviously not mature, and he is just a child that dreams on being a man. He believes that he needs a gun in order for others to respect him. Dave is a kid that lies about mostly everything, and he need to learn that in life one always need to face the consequences of our actions.
I defiantly agree with mary cruz on number one because Wright's use of early African-American dialect, because it was some what hard to read but it was a great idea of Wright to do that because it did help to show how people talked in that time. I also agree with Yesenia because it does help the reader understand the character, and it's emotions.
On question number four, I really agree with S. Rodriguez. Because nobody likes to be treated as a child, but rebelliousness isn't the way to show that you are mature on the contrary that show how immature you really are so I defiantly agree with that answer. And I don't really agree with Eric Welch on number four because Dave didn't know what he was getting into he had senseless thoughts about proving to others he was no longer a a little boy that is all he was thinking he never knew he was going to kill an animal but he did deserve his punishment.
Instruction:Please respond to two other student's responses (minimum 200 words).
1.I agree with Yesenia when it comes to what depicts a man, as well as the fact that Dave was immature and far from being a man. Dave throughout the entire story is searching for a passage to manhood. He has this notion that gaining possession of a gun will allow him that passage. To Dave becoming a man means doing or owning “grown up things.” He completely overlooks the qualities that one must possess to be considered a man. I believe that actions and thoughts are what depict a man. Not just any actions, however, because everyone thinks and acts. These actions and thoughts must show maturity. They must show that the actions have been thought out. Sometimes things go wrong and as a man, responsibility for actions is required. Yes, Dave was acting but his thought process what not in line. He was just not mentally ready for the task he wanted to take on. Dave may have obtained the gun, but he was far from obtaining manhood. His actions along with his thoughts were that of a child. He lacked maturity in both his actions and thoughts. Dave pretty much sealed his fate when he ran away. That is so very childish.
2.I agree with the second half of Robert’s idea of Dave’s rebellious state. I am not sure how Dave asking his mother instead of his father for the gun is an act of rebellion. I simply think that Dave knew who would give him what he wanted. He knew it was easier to manipulate his mother than his father. Rebellion is more of a conscious decision to defy authority. The first act of rebellion, as Robert says, is when he deliberately disobeys his mother. His mother trusted him to go purchase the gun and bring it back to her but Dave does as he pleases. He buys the gun, keeps it, and then lies to his mother about it. His desire to be treated as a man leads him into this state of rebellion. His rebellion does indeed backfire on him, as Robert states. He thinks he is man enough to do whatever he wants. This proves to be disastrous. He takes the gun, shoots it, and accidentally hurts Jenny. It was not his intention but Dave is so caught up in his rebellion that he is blinded. I also agree with Robert when he sympathizes with Dave. Everyone wants to be treated with respect or just not as a child. I totally agree with Robert when he says that he should have listened to his parents. They usually know what they are talking about.
I agree with Eric Welch’s response to number three, because Dave was an immature child that was still too young to be considered a man. I agree that his mother had some responsibility also, because she should have known better. In the first place what mother lets her child own a gun, if he is still young. Dave was obviously too young and he did not have much experience. His mother knew he was not responsible because she was collecting the money that he earned; she knew that he might waste the money, in things that were not necessary. He was a hard worker but he did not think like a man; he was working to buy his gun. He was still a child that did not even now how to fire the gun, and hurt himself, but this did not stopped him from continue aiming. He wanted to obtain respect but with his actions this was obviously not the right way of doing things. Dave is still a kid and even though he wants others to notice that he is not a kid anymore, his actions describe him as childish kid. At the end his plan did not worked, because the people did not change in their opinions toward him.
I also agree with Yesenia’s response to number four, because I believe that the way he expresses about the other kids, and he wanting power, shows that this are not thoughts of a grow up man. Dave just pretty much lied about everything; like for example when he killed the mule and decided to made up a story. He believes that by the fact that he has a gun, others would look at him differently and not see him as a little boy anymore. He is just a kid that wants to have things his own way, like in the beginning when he asks his mother to give him the money to buy the gun; he insisted and insisted until his mother agreed. He promised one thing and did exactly the opposite; instead of giving the gun to his mother as she told him to do so, he decides to stay out of the house until the entire family was asleep, in order to avoid giving the gun to his mother. Dave was just like a kid with a new toy; he was holding the gun, and this made him feel superior. After he killed the mule he was still thinking on the desire for respect and decides to live his home at night, and goes to fire the gun ones again. He was a rebellious kid that did not listen to his parents; he always did exactly the wrong things and the wrong actions.
1. I agree with Eric on all of his answers, I think that we have the same concepts and ideas, but just on our words. The authentic language is hard read but it does add a lot to the story in the sense of understanding both the story and the characters more. Plus the dialect sure does adds to the authenticity of the story. Mostly I agree with what he says the about the role that the gun plays. To Dave its “like the ability to drink at the age of 21 and smoke at the age of 18”. Eric thinks that Jenny’s shooting shows David still too young to be considered a man. Which I agree with because it falls to my point that he is immature. Yet I don’t quite agree that he is portrayed as being innocent, I consider him being more as I said, an immature character. The points that he states, which show where in the story there is evidence that he is rebellious, are very reliable. I definitely agree that those points state Dave’s rebelliousness. Just like me, Eric doesn’t sympathize with Dave either, which he really doesn’t deserve sympathy, because as Eric said: ‘he knew what he was getting into.’
2. Mary Cruz also has some of the same ideas and concepts in her answers as I did. Dave’s dialect does reveal his emotions and feelings better. Yet the dialect also did make it hard to read at some points also. The gun doe play a major, like Mary Cruz says. I agree that it is like the main symbol represented in the story, which to Dave, symbolizes that he has become a man. Mary Cruz says that Dave sees the gun as a sign of power for him, which is mainly true because he does think that he is more and a man once he has the gun in his possession. Surely, when the accidental shooting of Jenny does reveal that Dave is not prepared to confront the world on his own. But I’m not sure if this is the correct wording for the situation. He does show that he is immature and acts as a kid too, but from his actions and thoughts, it is a bit harsh to say that he is not ready to confront the world on his own. Mary Cruz also points out good evidence that show that Dave is rebellious. We seem to have agreed on most of the evidence, but she did catch one part that I didn’t. On page 341 Dave says something that does seem to show that he is apparently, ‘brave enough to do whatever he wants without anyone’s permission.’ Which we don’t know what happened afterwards but it possibly didn’t go so good, considering he just acted without thinking much.
1. Richard Wright’s use of early African-American dialect does make the story more authentic, even though it was more difficult to read. This particular vernacular helps the reader better understand the ethnic and cultural background of the characters, as well as clarify the time period and setting of the story. It can be inferred from the dialogue that the story takes place in the south during a time when African Americans were still struggling to gain civil rights and become productive members of society.
2. The gun plays a significant role for Dave, representing the sole object that will prove to everyone that he is a man, and “… they couldn’t talk to him as though he were a little boy” anymore (333). Dave wants a gun to prove his manhood and show that he is not scared of anyone, no matter how much bigger they are than him. He feels that with this gun comes a certain power that will demand respect from those who treat him like a child. The way Dave must go about obtaining the gun creates a sense of irony to the whole situation. He begins by begging his mother for the money, and he even tries to bribe her by saying that “ef yuh lemme buy one Ah’ll never ast yuh fer nothing no mo” (336). After he is finally given the money, Dave disobeys his mother’s order to bring the gun immediately back to the house so she can give it his father. He also proceeds to lie and hide the gun from his mother, which helps to further convince the reader that Dave is still a child. He even treats the gun as a new toy that he wants to play with.
3. The accidental shooting of Jenny reveals that Dave does not possess the maturity, nor can he handle the responsibility that comes along with being a “man.” When Dave “waved [the gun] wildly … then he shut his eyes,” it shows how he was not prepared for the responsibility and burdens that being a man can bring (337). These actions further prove that Dave is in over his head, and “when he found himself on his knees” after irresponsibly shooting the gun, this predicts what his possible future will look like with the tough realities of adulthood (337). The dirt that Dave uses in his failed attempt to fix his mistake represents the unfathomable lie he tells trying to accomplish virtually the same thing. In the end, Dave ultimately makes the decision to run away from his problems and punishment because, like a child, he does not want to face the consequences of the actions he naively committed.
4. Dave’s rebelliousness and hostility is evident throughout the story with his constant disregard to his mother’s orders and his constant need to exert some sort of power to gain respect from others. The constant nagging of his mother for “jus two dollahs” shows how he will do anything to get what he wants, and then he disobeys his mother after she tells him to “bring [the gun] right back” to her (336). He rebels by coming home late, hiding the gun under his pillow, and sneaking out early in the morning to shoot the gun. Dave’s need for a gun to have “power” and gain respect from others represents his hostile nature, and that he thinks the threat of violence can gain him respect. After seeing the destruction that the gun can cause, Dave begins to feel the power he had been longing for. Wright describes Dave as “a hungry dog scratching for bone” when he goes to grab his gun, further exhibiting his hostile nature (341).
13 comments:
Please post a response to the following questions concerning Richard Wright's "The Man Who Was Almost a Man." Your responses should be 200-300 words for each question. Please respond to two other student's responses (minimum 200 words).
1. Does Wright's use of early African-American dialect make the story a more authentic read for you?
2. What role does the gun play for Dave? Why does he need/want a gun? What are the sources of Dave's needs?
3. What does the accidental shooting of Jenny reveal about Dave?
4. What evidence is given in the story to support Dave's rebelliousness or hostility? Do you sympathize with Dave?
1)
Although this authentic southern language is hard to read, it does add to the story by allowing the ready to better understand; not only the time period, but also the ethnicity of the main character and the people around them. This dialect does add to the authenticity of the story also. It gives the reader a feel for the emotions used by each character while talking.
2)
Like the ability to drink at the age of 21 and smoke at the age of 18, I belive David viewed owning a gun as a "rite of passage". He wants people to stop looking at him as a little kid, and begin to realize he is becomming a man. David believes if he purchases a gun, people will begin to think higher of him, in regards to a child and a man. when David asks his mother for money to but the gun, she tells him right then that he doesn't need a gun because he is a child. After the purchase of the gun he ends up shooting and killing a mule, and still people do not view him any differently. The mule killing, gun shooting, field working David, is the same David who everyone views as being a little boy. Thus saying, Davids plan did not work.
3)
The accidental shooting of Jenny the mule, shows that David is still too young to be considered a man, and way to young to own a gun. Through the whole story
david is portrayed as being a young innocent boy that works hard for his money, but is still TOO childish to keep the money that he earned. The shooting of Jenny just strengthens the argument of the pople surounding David that say he is too young. David is still a little boy, not yeat a man. Just the fact that David does not know how to even hold the gun, much less fire it, should throw up a red flag. the mother should have never given into her son, and stuck with her original thoughts, that her son is too young to own a gun. But the killing of Jenny the mule is great evidence that the mother needs to reconsider how she looks at her son, and what she allows him to do.
4)
In my openion david is a rebellious child. He goes to the store at the beginning of the story, and obviously he is trying to hid something from his mother because he lies to her and tells her that he stopped by to talk to some of the "guys". David tries to get his mother to give him money to buy a gun, nad even though she knows that he is too young to own a gun, he keeps bugging her about it, so she gives in and gives him 2 dollars to buy the gun. When he buys the gun, he does not the what his mother says, but instead he stays out late and then goes back and hides it under his pillow. Throughout the whole story there are places that show how David is a liar and a rebellious child. But the major thing that sticks out to me is that when he shoots the mule, he paces back amd forth trying to come up with a story of how the mule killed herself. I do not sympathize with David because he knew what he was getting into. I believe David earned the punishment that he was going to receive.
1. Richard Wright’s use of early African-American dialect does make the story a more authentic read. At some points it becomes somewhat difficult to read but it helps the reader depict the time period, the ethnicity of the characters, and overall, it helps the reader understand the characters. Dave’s way of talking reveals his was of thinking as well as his emotions.
2. In the story the gun plays a major role for Dave because it is supposed to symbolize that he is a man and not a kid anymore since he is almost 17 as he argues. For this reason Dave wants a gun and Mr. Joe from the store offers him his for two dollars. He thinks that by having a gun he will earn respect from the others and not be seen or treated as a “little boy” anymore. Which in reality with his actions he demonstrates that the gun didn’t make him much of a man. After killing Jenny, the mule, on accident he was to scared to stand up for the consequences he had to face, which doesn’t make him anything close to a man. After he tells the truth of how the poor mule died, the others actually laughed and didn’t really show the respect that he thought he would receive. Then, just like any other little kid who does something bad, his parents yelled at him and was punished or was to be punished.
3. The accidental shooting of Jenny reveals Dave’s immaturity since he didn‘t know what to do after he realized that he had shot the mule. Irresponsibly he tried to stop the bleeding alone and was thinking of something to lie with and make up for what had happened, instead of going to look for help and try to save Jenny‘s life. He might well almost be seventeen but that age doesn’t make you a man. One’s actions and your way of thinking is what depicts whether you are old enough or not. He does work for his own money and like he says he is almost seventeen but the way that he thinks still makes him a “little boy.” Dave thinks that by having a gun he will earn respect and not be seen like a kid anymore. Which in reality the gun doesn’t give him any sign of respect from anybody. Due to his way of using the gun, he is seen more as a kid who obviously didn’t know what he was doing. He was incapable of holding the gun correctly and even worse didn’t know how to shoot it, since he closed his eyes and hurt himself.
4. There is many evidence in the story that supports Dave’s rebelliousness or hostility. In the beginning he expresses the way he feels about talking to the other Negros in the field and thinks of how he will one day have a gun and they won’t talk to him as if he was a little boy. He also lies to his mother about why he was late for super and then talks her into giving him money to buy a gun even though she tells him that he is still to young. Just like any other little boy he talks around to get what he wants and even though he promised to get home and give the gun to his mother he waits until he knows that everyone is asleep to go in the house and avoid giving his mother the gun. Again the next day, he even skips breakfast and runs out of the house before he was seen to go and try his gun after reporting for work. But mainly in the end when he was trying to sleep but was instead thinking of what had happened, his thoughts of wanting respect, and then going of to find the gun and start shooting to feel “power” shows his rebelliousness. Even more when he just decides to leave, without saying anything or leaving a note to say that he is leaving, in order to go “somewhere where he could be a man….” I don’t sympathize with Dave because even though I know that when we are young we tend to rebel at some point, most of us know when we are doing bad and stay to suffer the consequences. We don’t run off to escape and find what we think would be better for us.
1. Wright's use of early African-American dialect does make the story a more authentic read for me. Even though it was kind of hard to read, this made me imagine the real way that people talked during that time. The way they talked made me understood Dave better. This dialect revealed what Dave’s feelings and emotions were, as well as how he felt about the way his life was.
2. The role that the gun plays for Dave is a major one. It is the main symbol of the story, which represents Dave becoming a "real man". The gun is very important to Dave, for him having a gun, is becoming a man. He thinks that by having the gun, he'll earn the respect that a man deserves. He wants all the Negros to stop saying that he is still a little boy. Dave thinks that that shouldn’t be that way, because he is almost seventeen and he works like every other man do. After hearing all man that work with him talking about the guns that they have, he goes and buys a gun from Mr. Joe. He is grown and manly now; therefore he should have a gun. As soon as Dave gets the gun, he feels that he has the power that he always wanted. He's not a little kid anymore, according to him.
3. The accidental shooting of Jenny reveals that Dave is not prepared to confront the world by himself. He still needs of his parents; he still is a kid even if he does not think so. Whenever he went to the fields to shoot the gun, he shoots Jenny, the mule, and he felt bad for it. He did not know what to do. He was trying to think what kind of explanation he would give to Mr. Hawkins. Dave was scared, like a little kid when he has done something wrong, and knows that consequences are about to come. This showed Dave that by having a gun, he wouldn't get respect. All the people that knew about what he had done were laughing; they did not think that Dave was a man just because he had a gun. Instead they believed that he was a little kid, who irresponsibly used a gun. The fact that he did not eve know how to shoot it, made of Dave more of a child. Dave’s parents were going to punish him for having a gun, and for killing the mule. Dave didn't know what else to do, so he just started crying like a little kid, because he still was a little child, who did not understood that life was beyond a gun.
4. Throughout the story, we find out a lot of evidence showing that Dave is being rebellious, and hostile. Since the beginning of the story Dave wants to show that he is a man. He asks his mother for money to buy a gun, and his mother gives him the money, but Dave must bring the gun back to her as soon as he gets it. First of all he lies to her because he promised to bring the gun back to her, but he didn’t. Whenever he got home he told his mother that the gun was hidden outdoors, which was not true, he had the gun with him. He disobeyed his mother, and the next morning he took the gun with him to work. Without any responsibility, he took the gun and shoots it, hurting Jenny the mule. The part where Dave becomes more rebellious is when he takes the gun and leaves, “Ah betcha Bill wouldn’t do it! Ah betcha….” (p.341) Here he is showing that he is brave enough to do whatever he wants to do without the permission of anybody.
Please post a response to the following questions concerning Richard Wright's "The Man Who Was Almost a Man." Your responses should be 200-300 words for each question. Please respond to two other students' responses (minimum 200 words).
1. Does Wright's use of early African-American dialect make the story a more authentic read for you?
2. What role does the gun play for Dave? Why does he need/want a gun? What are the sources of Dave's needs?
3. What does the accidental shooting of Jenny reveal about Dave?
4. What evidence is given in the story to support Dave's rebelliousness or hostility? Do you sympathize with Dave?
1. Richard Wright's use of use of African American dialect makes the story more difficult to read but more authentic at the same time. Wright's use of past African American dialect helped me understand the feel and place of ttime period, the environment in which Dave and his family were surrounded in, and the emotions in which Dave and his family display throughout the different parts of the story.
2. The gun in this story plays a crucial role with Dave. The gun serves Dave as a way of showing his transformation from a small boy into a man. Dave also views the gun as something only a man can have the right to own. Dave wanted to purchase the gun because he wanted people to start respecting him and he wanted people to begin thinking of him as a man not as a small child. Even though Dave thought buying a gun would make him become noticed as an adult it did exactly the opposite. People questioned his needs to buy a gun and even his own mother told him that he had no reason to buy a gun because he was still but a mere child. The sources of Dave's needs come from always being viewed as a child. Dave has but one wish and that is to be looked upon by other people as a man.
3. The accidental shooting of jenny, the mule, reveals to me that Dave is just not quite ready to become a man. He is still but a child who was afraid of taking the giant step into manhood by shooting the gun with his eyes closed and head shrugged away to the right. The accidental shooting also reveals to me that since Dave never listened to his parents, an action that comes only from children, then disobedience obviously shows clearly to the reader that Dave is not ready to take that bold step into manhood.
4. Some evidence that is presented in the story about Dave's rebelliousness is the fact that Dave begs his mother for money knowing that she will provide him with the money instead of asking his father because he knows that he would say no. Next Dave disobeys his mother when she tells Dave specifically to bring her the gun after he purchases it. He disobeys her and he stays out late with the gun so that he could return when everyone was asleep and keep the gun in his possession. Later on his rebelliousness back fires on him when he takes the gun with him while with Jenny and he accidentally shoots Jenny. I sympathize a little with Dave because he wants people to respect him and look at him as an adult instead of a child. but i dont sypathize also because of his actions of disobedience to his parents. If Dave would have just listened to his parents the entire controversy would have been avoided.
1.Richard Wright’s use of early African-American dialect in, “The Man Who Was Almost a man,” certainly makes the story more authentic. It makes the story more interesting and really allows the reader to fully experience the piece. By using this early dialect, Wright enables the reader to understand and interpret the characters. It makes the characters come alive in a sense. While it may be difficult to read at times, it grants the reader a way to "step into the story," so to say. When reading Dave’s lines, I was able to imagine myself in his position, I was able to play out a scene in my head. The way the characters speak define who they are. Through their dialect they enable us as readers to comprehend their emotions and feelings. If the author would have written this piece in modern dialect, the readers would not have gotten the full effect. They would not have had the same connection to the characters as they do now. I believe the author chose to write this piece with the early dialect to allow the reader to grasp the time period as well as the to truly depict the authenticity of each character.
2.Dave strongly believes that by obtaining a gun he will somehow reach manhood instantly. He believes that by the simple act of owning a gun all the respect and rights of a man will be his. When Dave asks his mother for money to buy the gun she denies him, telling him he is but a child. She tells Dave that he has no need for a gun; a gun is a dangerous weapon that only men should handle. This in turn makes Dave want the gun even more. He probes his mother a bit longer, telling her that “we needa gun in the house.” After reflecting upon the idea a bit she finally gives in granting Dave permission to buy the gun under one condition, that “it be fer pa.” His desire to be a man comes from the fact that he is treated as a child. The gun for him seems to posses some sort of power that will allow others to see him as a man. Dave’s misconceptions toward being a man cause him to get into much trouble. He has this extremely false idea that possessions give rights. This could have rooted from his mother’s conditions under which he could buy the gun.
3.The accidental shooting of Jenny only proves how far away Dave is from becoming a man. His extreme desire to shoot the gun only highlights his child-like qualities. He is like a small boy, impatient to play with his new toy. When he finally gets to shoot his new toy, he ends up shooting Jenny. He is frightened by the occurred and tries to fix everything by himself, afraid of the consequences. Instead of going to get help he does nothing because like a child who has done wrong, he is afraid of what is to come. If he would have gotten help right away perhaps Jenny could have been saved. As the plot progresses Dave’s childish qualities are more evident. First he tries to make up a story as to what happened and then when he is discovered he begins to cry like a child. This incident only goes to further prove his immature state. Dave has this awful misconception regarding manhood which causes him to get into a lot of trouble. This misconception could have rooted from the idea that his mother would only allow him to have a gun if it was for his father. He believes that by possessing a gun he is automatically a man and that he is entitled to certain rights. He naively believes that possessions give rights. It is true that when one is considered a man more freedoms are given, but it is not these freedoms that make one a man, rather the thoughts and actions ones pursues.
4.Dave is treated like a child everywhere he goes. His rebellion roots from this. His desire to be treated otherwise compels him to act in a rebellious manner. Dave believes that by acting this way he can gain some respect when in reality he is just seen as more of a child. Once he obtains the gun he disobeys his mother because now he feels that he is a man and doesn't need anyone to tell him what he can and cannot do. This proves to be disastrous as he is still a child and doesn't know what to do. His hostility is not present until after the accident is discovered. Once the truth of Jenny's death is revealed the men around him laugh. This sparks something in Dave and he just can't let it go. Acting upon this sudden rage he leaves his house to locate the gun once again. He finds it and starts shooting it around like crazy in hopes of perfecting his skill. After doing so he begins to think of the tasks that await him. He can't stand to think of having to pay two dollars a month or being worked like a mule and then beat. Dave runs away to a place where he can be a man. I have sympathy for Dave to a very short extent. Sometimes being treated as a child can be very frustrating but rebelling is certainly no way to show that you are not one. Rebellion often shows the lack of maturity that one possess. My sympathy stops there. Dave should have listened to his mother. Everything else would have been prevented by doing so.
1. The early African-American dialect, was some what hard to read for me. I had to keep on going back and reading each sentence. I believe that the early Afro-American dialect made the story more authentic, it made me feel as if I talked like that it also made it very fun to read. I felt as if I was the actual protagonist in the story.
2. The gun that Dave buys plays a major role in the story because Dave views the gun as if it can change him from a teenage boy to a man. Dave states in the story "Ahma ol renough to hava gun.Ahm seventeen. Almost a man... Shucks, a man oughta hava little gun aftah he done orked hard all day." He wants a gun because he thinks that by having a gun he will become a man. Dave wanted all the other Negros to stop say he is a little boy. Dave wants to earn the respect of all the other men.
3. Dave having shot Jenny made him really scared like a the little boy he was. Being so scared about Jenny dying he buried the gun next to a tree, as soon as I read that I thought to myself, you need more than a gun to be a man. Dave showed the fear of a little boy which revealed he was still a little boy.
4. From the beginning of the story much evidence is given that supports Dave's Rebelliousness and hostility. Dave wants to prove to everybody that he is a man by having a gun, just because he hears all the other men talking about their guns, why not prove he's a man with something else? He is eager to buy a gun a begs his mother for money to buy "...a left-handed Wheeler. A pistol." having begged his mother for money shows that he is still a little boy, but by his eagerness he did not notice it. He also disobeys his mother when she tells him to bring the gun right back, he lies to her again that night and tells her the gun is hidden somewhere. Right away I saw his rebelliousness and hostility. Of course I have a little sympathy towards Dave because he wants to be respected, but maybe is sat down and thought about how to win peoples respect he would have gotten it, but he didn't instead people laughed at him for having to kill a poor innocent mule.
1. Richard Wright’s use of early African-American dialect makes the story more authentic, because the reader has a deeper understanding on the originality. Is harder to understand the dialect, but at the same time they are communicating in their language at that particular time. This helps the reader to understand the characters better; their culture and style.
2. The gun plays the role of entering manhood. Dave wanted to have a gun because he wanted others to look at him and realize that he was not a child anymore. He wanted to feel powerful and make others respect him. Unfortunately, with his actions Dave demonstrated that he was still a child. In the first place, Dave lied to his mother when he bought the gun, and instead of giving it to her; he kept the gun. Later, he wanted to fire the gun, and was acting like a little kid with a new toy, and the result was he ended up killing the mule. When his mother asked him to tell what happened, he lies again. Dave wanted to run out of the situation instead of facing his actions like a man. When Dave tells the truth on how he killed the mule, his parents punished him like any other parent would have done so. The people that were looking; actually laugh about him instead of admiring his courage.
3. The accidental shooting of Jenny, the mule, revealed that Dave was still a child that does things without thinking on the consequences. Even though he didn’t want to shoot the mule, he ended up killing it. This shows that Dave is too young, and he still needs a long time of experience before becoming a man, regardless of his age. Dave was a kid that wanted to feel powerful and respected by others but by owning a gun did not mean that others would respect him; they might be scared but not respectful. Due to the fact that he did not even know how to hold the gun and shoot, implies that he does not even know what he was doing. This also reveals that his mother had some responsibility also, because Dave did not think as a man, his thoughts were still like those of an irresponsible child. She obviously has to take care of her child more responsibly, and be more careful with him. As a mother she should of stay straight with her thoughts in the beginning; on not wanting him to own a gun. Dave tried to help the mule stop bleeding instead of going to find help, and later he was afraid of facing his actions and decided to lie. At the end, the people that were there sow Dave as an irresponsible kid that did not how to do things correctly.
4. Through the story there is much evidence that supports Dave’s rebelliousness or hostility. In the beginning he wants to buy a gun, and lies to his mother; he tells her that he was talking with the boys, but instead he was at the store looking for a gun. Then he is still thinking on buying a gun even though his mother did not wanted him to do so. When he finally convinces her and buys the gun, instead of giving it to his mother as she asks him to do, he keeps the gun and waits until his family are asleep, so that his mother does not ask for the gun. All of these actions reveal his rebelliousness toward his mother. When he goes and fires the gun, is also an example of his immaturity. I personally do not sympathize with Dave because he is obviously not mature, and he is just a child that dreams on being a man. He believes that he needs a gun in order for others to respect him. Dave is a kid that lies about mostly everything, and he need to learn that in life one always need to face the consequences of our actions.
I defiantly agree with mary cruz on number one because Wright's use of early African-American dialect, because it was some what hard to read but it was a great idea of Wright to do that because it did help to show how people talked in that time. I also agree with Yesenia because it does help the reader understand the character, and it's emotions.
On question number four, I really agree with S. Rodriguez. Because nobody likes to be treated as a child, but rebelliousness isn't the way to show that you are mature on the contrary that show how immature you really are so I defiantly agree with that answer.
And I don't really agree with Eric Welch on number four because Dave didn't know what he was getting into he had senseless thoughts about proving to others he was no longer a a little boy that is all he was thinking he never knew he was going to kill an animal but he did deserve his punishment.
Instruction:Please respond to two other student's responses (minimum 200 words).
1.I agree with Yesenia when it comes to what depicts a man, as well as the fact that Dave was immature and far from being a man. Dave throughout the entire story is searching for a passage to manhood. He has this notion that gaining possession of a gun will allow him that passage. To Dave becoming a man means doing or owning “grown up things.” He completely overlooks the qualities that one must possess to be considered a man. I believe that actions and thoughts are what depict a man. Not just any actions, however, because everyone thinks and acts. These actions and thoughts must show maturity. They must show that the actions have been thought out. Sometimes things go wrong and as a man, responsibility for actions is required. Yes, Dave was acting but his thought process what not in line. He was just not mentally ready for the task he wanted to take on. Dave may have obtained the gun, but he was far from obtaining manhood. His actions along with his thoughts were that of a child. He lacked maturity in both his actions and thoughts. Dave pretty much sealed his fate when he ran away. That is so very childish.
2.I agree with the second half of Robert’s idea of Dave’s rebellious state. I am not sure how Dave asking his mother instead of his father for the gun is an act of rebellion. I simply think that Dave knew who would give him what he wanted. He knew it was easier to manipulate his mother than his father. Rebellion is more of a conscious decision to defy authority. The first act of rebellion, as Robert says, is when he deliberately disobeys his mother. His mother trusted him to go purchase the gun and bring it back to her but Dave does as he pleases. He buys the gun, keeps it, and then lies to his mother about it. His desire to be treated as a man leads him into this state of rebellion. His rebellion does indeed backfire on him, as Robert states. He thinks he is man enough to do whatever he wants. This proves to be disastrous. He takes the gun, shoots it, and accidentally hurts Jenny. It was not his intention but Dave is so caught up in his rebellion that he is blinded. I also agree with Robert when he sympathizes with Dave. Everyone wants to be treated with respect or just not as a child. I totally agree with Robert when he says that he should have listened to his parents. They usually know what they are talking about.
I agree with Eric Welch’s response to number three, because Dave was an immature child that was still too young to be considered a man. I agree that his mother had some responsibility also, because she should have known better. In the first place what mother lets her child own a gun, if he is still young. Dave was obviously too young and he did not have much experience. His mother knew he was not responsible because she was collecting the money that he earned; she knew that he might waste the money, in things that were not necessary. He was a hard worker but he did not think like a man; he was working to buy his gun. He was still a child that did not even now how to fire the gun, and hurt himself, but this did not stopped him from continue aiming. He wanted to obtain respect but with his actions this was obviously not the right way of doing things. Dave is still a kid and even though he wants others to notice that he is not a kid anymore, his actions describe him as childish kid. At the end his plan did not worked, because the people did not change in their opinions toward him.
I also agree with Yesenia’s response to number four, because I believe that the way he expresses about the other kids, and he wanting power, shows that this are not thoughts of a grow up man. Dave just pretty much lied about everything; like for example when he killed the mule and decided to made up a story. He believes that by the fact that he has a gun, others would look at him differently and not see him as a little boy anymore. He is just a kid that wants to have things his own way, like in the beginning when he asks his mother to give him the money to buy the gun; he insisted and insisted until his mother agreed. He promised one thing and did exactly the opposite; instead of giving the gun to his mother as she told him to do so, he decides to stay out of the house until the entire family was asleep, in order to avoid giving the gun to his mother. Dave was just like a kid with a new toy; he was holding the gun, and this made him feel superior. After he killed the mule he was still thinking on the desire for respect and decides to live his home at night, and goes to fire the gun ones again. He was a rebellious kid that did not listen to his parents; he always did exactly the wrong things and the wrong actions.
1. I agree with Eric on all of his answers, I think that we have the same concepts and ideas, but just on our words. The authentic language is hard read but it does add a lot to the story in the sense of understanding both the story and the characters more. Plus the dialect sure does adds to the authenticity of the story. Mostly I agree with what he says the about the role that the gun plays. To Dave its “like the ability to drink at the age of 21 and smoke at the age of 18”. Eric thinks that Jenny’s shooting shows David still too young to be considered a man. Which I agree with because it falls to my point that he is immature. Yet I don’t quite agree that he is portrayed as being innocent, I consider him being more as I said, an immature character. The points that he states, which show where in the story there is evidence that he is rebellious, are very reliable. I definitely agree that those points state Dave’s rebelliousness. Just like me, Eric doesn’t sympathize with Dave either, which he really doesn’t deserve sympathy, because as Eric said: ‘he knew what he was getting into.’
2. Mary Cruz also has some of the same ideas and concepts in her answers as I did. Dave’s dialect does reveal his emotions and feelings better. Yet the dialect also did make it hard to read at some points also. The gun doe play a major, like Mary Cruz says. I agree that it is like the main symbol represented in the story, which to Dave, symbolizes that he has become a man. Mary Cruz says that Dave sees the gun as a sign of power for him, which is mainly true because he does think that he is more and a man once he has the gun in his possession. Surely, when the accidental shooting of Jenny does reveal that Dave is not prepared to confront the world on his own. But I’m not sure if this is the correct wording for the situation. He does show that he is immature and acts as a kid too, but from his actions and thoughts, it is a bit harsh to say that he is not ready to confront the world on his own. Mary Cruz also points out good evidence that show that Dave is rebellious. We seem to have agreed on most of the evidence, but she did catch one part that I didn’t. On page 341 Dave says something that does seem to show that he is apparently, ‘brave enough to do whatever he wants without anyone’s permission.’ Which we don’t know what happened afterwards but it possibly didn’t go so good, considering he just acted without thinking much.
1. Richard Wright’s use of early African-American dialect does make the story more authentic, even though it was more difficult to read. This particular vernacular helps the reader better understand the ethnic and cultural background of the characters, as well as clarify the time period and setting of the story. It can be inferred from the dialogue that the story takes place in the south during a time when African Americans were still struggling to gain civil rights and become productive members of society.
2. The gun plays a significant role for Dave, representing the sole object that will prove to everyone that he is a man, and “… they couldn’t talk to him as though he were a little boy” anymore (333). Dave wants a gun to prove his manhood and show that he is not scared of anyone, no matter how much bigger they are than him. He feels that with this gun comes a certain power that will demand respect from those who treat him like a child. The way Dave must go about obtaining the gun creates a sense of irony to the whole situation. He begins by begging his mother for the money, and he even tries to bribe her by saying that “ef yuh lemme buy one Ah’ll never ast yuh fer nothing no mo” (336). After he is finally given the money, Dave disobeys his mother’s order to bring the gun immediately back to the house so she can give it his father. He also proceeds to lie and hide the gun from his mother, which helps to further convince the reader that Dave is still a child. He even treats the gun as a new toy that he wants to play with.
3. The accidental shooting of Jenny reveals that Dave does not possess the maturity, nor can he handle the responsibility that comes along with being a “man.” When Dave “waved [the gun] wildly … then he shut his eyes,” it shows how he was not prepared for the responsibility and burdens that being a man can bring (337). These actions further prove that Dave is in over his head, and “when he found himself on his knees” after irresponsibly shooting the gun, this predicts what his possible future will look like with the tough realities of adulthood (337). The dirt that Dave uses in his failed attempt to fix his mistake represents the unfathomable lie he tells trying to accomplish virtually the same thing. In the end, Dave ultimately makes the decision to run away from his problems and punishment because, like a child, he does not want to face the consequences of the actions he naively committed.
4. Dave’s rebelliousness and hostility is evident throughout the story with his constant disregard to his mother’s orders and his constant need to exert some sort of power to gain respect from others. The constant nagging of his mother for “jus two dollahs” shows how he will do anything to get what he wants, and then he disobeys his mother after she tells him to “bring [the gun] right back” to her (336). He rebels by coming home late, hiding the gun under his pillow, and sneaking out early in the morning to shoot the gun. Dave’s need for a gun to have “power” and gain respect from others represents his hostile nature, and that he thinks the threat of violence can gain him respect. After seeing the destruction that the gun can cause, Dave begins to feel the power he had been longing for. Wright describes Dave as “a hungry dog scratching for bone” when he goes to grab his gun, further exhibiting his hostile nature (341).
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