Alone?

Hunger. Attention. Confusion. Isolation.

Wright's insatiable hunger for food and attention becomes evident in the first chapter of Black Boy. At four years of age, Wright sets his house on fire in the midst of his boredom and curiosity. Wright "ached with boredom" at four years of age. He was "resentful of being neglected". Wright was in need of re-assurance and attention. He was hungry. As the chapter develops our setting for the book changes. Wright and his family move to Memphis. Upon some time after their arrival Wright begins to roam the streets of Memphis. As his street based knowledge grows, his hunger intensifies. He begins to read and count. He begins to grow. Yet, Wright grows alone. His hunger becomes temporarily quenched as he interacts with the street. Towards the end of the chapter Wright becomes a witness to pain. His father has left his family for another women and has not followed to support his children. Wright being young doesn't realize this. Yet, he realizes that the emotions and sadness of his mother must mean something is wrong. At first Wright was hungry for attention. Now he hungers to get away.

"I was doing more running away from than running toward something"