Friday, April 6, 2012

The Library Card:- Richard Wright

The Library Card

-Richard Wright
U.S.A (1908-1960)

Literal Comprehension: 

"The Library Card" is written by Richard Wright, a black writer in America. Once a negro boy was reading a newspaper "The American Mercury" on which he saw a white man called H.L. Mencken being abused by another white man. He got surprised since he used to think that only negroes were hated, but not white man. The article was furious denunciation in which Mencken was called a fool. Therefore , he became curious to know more about Mencken and was highly inspired to read his books. However, the blacks are not allowed to go to library. They were deprived of the library cards. Fortunately, he was able to use the library cards of a white man in his office and read two books by H.K. Mencken. As a result, he found himself in a different world. He understand the reason why Mencken was hated by his own people. He had talked about the equality between whites and blacks. The man he reads the more he understand the reality. In this way the boy always went to the library and read the book more critically. After reading many books, he understood his boss and he realized that he had been missing a very important thing in life. Upto that time. Reading became like a drug to him. So, he wanted to became a writer he had to know so many things and people well. That's why, he brought English grammars for learning English, but he found the English better from novels than grammar, after reading many novels realized the suffering of slaves, suppression and violent operation of cruel law by the white against the black. So, he didn't like to live the life of a slave living in the south because of his education. As he was in the minority, he couldn't fight against the white either. In this way, his education mad him different from others blacks. So, he couldn't forget the pathetic situation of black easily. Therefore at the end having felt incompleteness  in himself to become a writer, he became very sad. 

Interpretation: 

The writer may be trying to tell us that education is supremely important ornament of life. The more ones reads the more knowledge one perceives about the vastness and mystery of the world. In this story a negro boy becomes curious to read more and more after reading a newspaper editorial in which Mencken is severely criticized. His thirst of learning increase. As a result, he starts reading a lot. Reading makes him conscious about the painful condition and suffering of the blacks and changes his attitude towards life and the world. In this way, his education makes him different from others. Consequently, he understand the discrimination, injustice and inequalities between the whites and blacks. 

Critical Thinking:

After reading this story we learnt that the white people behave Negro quite savagely. But we know that the USA is a highly democratic nation. In such nation, how can we believe that blacks are treated so savagely? Isn't there compulsory education for all? How can a boy forge the letter if he is uneducated and if he is discriminated? Was the black's freedom realty seized? So, we aren't totally convinced with the ideas of the story.

Assimilation: 

Before reading this story I used to think that English could be learnt by means of English grammars. But after reading it, I know that we can guess the meaning of a new word according to the context rather than using the dictionary frequently moreover, I understand that education is supremely valuable. So, I have determines to continue my education to her higher degree for making my life meaningful.

9 comments:

  1. Excuse me sir but you have so many errors in this essay.

    ReplyDelete
  2. this is a terrible essay.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. why you are so mean? It is not that bad, ok.

      Delete
  3. ali language pugena hai sir

    ReplyDelete
  4. OMG......
    THis is terrible, Stupid, and so weird essay...
    Can you delete this?
    It's so STUPID OMG>..... First time to see this kind of terrible essay.. it's not even a essay.. it's @@@@@@@@@@@@

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Even an essay*
      Clean your hands before you point it at others :)

      Delete
  5. Delete this essay. Horrible essay delete it. It doesn't have the right to be on the internet. I think you racist people should get out of the internet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Its not your problem ....why don't you ...write and show us ....hmm

      Delete
  6. If you don't like keep your mouth mum and go for others. Show it if you can. Don't bark here

    ReplyDelete

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