Rite of Passage
The life of a typical American boy is constantly changing, forcing him to take a deep look into himself. Richard Wright, in his novel, Right of Passage, gives readers a glimpse of American society. Wright brings forth the search for identity and moral struggle of a typical American working class using plot and point of view.
In Rite of Passage, Richard Wright portrays the theme, the search for identity, utilizing its plot. Johnny comes home one day and finds his entire identity in question as his mother announces to him that he is an adopted child. He reacts and takes "a step toward his mother, then dr[aws] back abruptly." He is confused and lost as to who he really is. In the search for his identity, he finds a gang and adopts their lifestyle, creating a new identity for himself. The gang leader tells him, "You're our new leader now," and Johnny finally becomes a true part of the gang. Just as many other Americans, Johnny is trying to find his place in the world, and ultimately finds a whole new life for himself. Richard Wright, through the plot of Rite of Passage allows the reader to understand the American struggle of searching for identity.
Through his story, Rite of Passage, Richard Wright shows an individual's moral struggle using point of view. Johnny has to