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The Man Who Was Almost A Man Essay

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The Sense of Power, Independence, and Freedom
“The Man Who Was Almost a Man” was written by Richard Wright, during the 1960’s. “The Man Who Was Almost a Man” is a short story centering on a young man who believes that he earns the privilege to be treated as an adult. The main character Dave badly wants to reach the manhood stage and show everyone that he is independent and responsible. In this story, everyone sees Dave as a child whom is immature and irresponsible. For instance, Dave has to ask his mom for his money so he can purchase the gun that he wants. Dave’s mom keeps every cent that he earns on his own from working in Mr. Hawkins fields. Also Dave feels that the other men in the fields does not show him the respect that he wants. In “The Man Who Was Almost a Man,” Richard Wright uses symbolism to show the innate desire for freedom within human beings.
In the story, the first symbolic reference is the gun. The concept of Dave owning a gun becomes his way out of childhood and into adulthood. Dave believes that the gun will suddenly make him become powerful and manly. He knew that “if he were holding his gun in his hand, nobody could run over him; they would have to respect him.” In this story, Wright uses three stages of gun …show more content…
Every young person who grows want to have a mind of his or her own. Like every young person, they are not quite ready for the responsibilities it takes to be an adult. In “The Man Who Was Almost a Man,” the gun gives Dave power, and he believes everyone will look at him differently. Dave wants to feel masculine, powerful, and responsible like the other field workers. As soon as the gun starts to cause problems, Dave realizes that no one has taken a second look at him differently. Dave decides to run off to “some place new where he can be a man.” Like humans, people in general try to run away from their problems instead of facing through them or confessing to

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