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Black Boy -- Transcendentalism

The Transcendental movement of the mid-nineteenth century encompassed the ideas of Platonism, Patheism, Puritanism, and most importantly, Romanticism. During this era, Romanticism was prominent in American literature. Richard Wright created a novel which captured the true essence of that era. The novel would become the universal example of the transcendental ideal. That novel is Black Boy.
Black Boy enveloped the ideas upon which the transcendental period was based. Ralph Waldo Emerson created a term which would transform all transcendental concepts into human form. His image of the “self-reliant man” combined outstanding human qualities to create an exemplary figure through which the entire era would be reflected in. This term would be personified through the character of Richard Wright. Richard’s refusal to retaliate, his nonconformist ways, and his greatness in a society which misunderstands him is the embodiment of Emerson’s “self-reliant man”.
Richard Wright lived during a time in which society conspired against blacks. Though constantly tempted to retaliate against the conspiracy, Richard almost always resisted. While working in an optical factory, Wright was constantly ridiculed by two of the workers, and was repeatedly tricked into being punished. For example, when Mr. Reeves accuses Richard of referring to Mr. Kearns in a disrespectful manner, Richard must choose between being punished for committing this act, or of accusing Mr. Reeves of lying. Instead of retaliating against this conspiracy, he chooses to give in and live with his punishment. He chose not to requite; instead he chose the lesser of two evils.
In an era when conformity promised safety, Richard Wright chose not to conform, which promised independence. During the time in which Richard Wright was growing up, society was desperately trying to force its black members to conform. For instance, religion became a form of conformism. The community chose to attend...

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