The Library Card -- Richard Wright
Literal Comprehension: The narrator read a white magazine, and was surprised to read about criticism of H.L Mencken in the magazine. The narrator was in the south, and he had never seen a white criticizing another white there. He was very extremely surprised to read the criticism of Mencken in the magazine. So, the narrator wanted to know why H.L Mencken was criticized by the whites. There was a public library. The narrator had visited it so many times to bring books for his white bosses. However, he could not get books from the library for himself. Therefore, the narrator took the help of his boss, Mr. Falk, and began to read books. He began by reading Menken's books, but he began reading all types of books very soon. The reading gave him awareness to understand his own position in the white world. He understood that his white bosses were not different from himself in the questions of humanity. He understood that his past had been only a series of losses, and he had no future to think about because his presence would not allow him to plan for his future. Such awareness put the narrator in a state of tension, terror, and anxiety and he could not think how long he would be able to bear it.
Interpretation: This story seems to suggest that education is a very valuable thing in a person's life. Superficially speaking, the story seems to criticize education because the narrator puts himself in a state of constant terror, tension, and anxiety when he gets himself educated. The narrator was more or less happy with his life’s position before he educated himself. However, he found himself in trouble after educating himself. This doesn't mean that education is a bad thing. Education breaks a person's innocent vision of life and he or she will be able to see the same thing differently. The narrator is also in the same position. Education indeed brings instability in his life. However, it also brings consciousness for him, and consciousness is worth everything.
Critical Thinking: This story may confuse a native reader. It tells how the narrator lost his happiness when he educated himself. Why should one educate himself or herself if education destroys a person's happiness? If education puts a person in a state of uncertainty, won't it be better to remain ignorant? However, a sophisticated reader will both understand and appreciate the message of this story. If education destroys one's peace of mind, it will also bring for the person a capacity to understand things in their true color. The narrator has been able to do the ings after getting educated. This story has another important aspect, too. It tells the readers about the past of America, which was the past of racial discrimination and injustice.
Assimilation: This story reminded me of my own attempts to educate myself. Richard Wright attempts to educate himself in a very difficult situation. However, I was not in such a difficult situation when I tried to educate myself. I was not much interested in studies in my school days. However, during the +2 level years, I suddenly got interested in reading literature. The reading enabled me to know many things about life. This story, particularly, has also enabled me to understand the meaning of hard struggle in a person's life. When a person achieves something after a very tough struggle, the meaning of such a hard-earned thing will have a different one for the person. I understand that if I struggle, my life will be more meaningful for me.
Post a Comment
Post a Comment