The Man Who Was Almost A Man

In life, there are many decisions that everyone must make. And with decision-making comes consequences, some that we are ready for , and some that we may not be ready for. The author of " The Man Who Was Almost a Man," Richard Wright, portrays a young man who wants to be a man, but shows that he is clearly unprepared for manhood and the consequences that come with that responsibility. Through decision making based on self interest, wanting to gain respect from his family, and wanting to prove his dignity, Richard Wright brings forth the main character, Dave, a seventeen year old boy, whose actions show that he is only "almost a man."

Throughout the story, many of Dave's decisions were based solely on his own interests. In fact, everything that Dave did was for his own interest, whether good or bad. An example of this would be Dave's decision to purchase the gun after begging his mother for money. Dave promised his mother that he would bring the gun right back to her so that she could give it to his father. Instead, Dave went against his mother's will and hid the gun from her. Knowing that making decisions are geared toward, a person's self interest and their beliefs, it is easily understood why Dave decided to buy the gun from Joe. Dave felt that with a gun, everyone would have to respect him, therefore he thought that a gun would make him a man regardless of his age. A person's decision making can display whether or not that person is mature enough to accept manhood, but can also prove immaturity and that a person is not yet ready to be on their own. In Dave's case, his immaturity was displayed and showed that he was not yet ready to be a man.

With Dave feeling as if he is no longer a boy, he felt he deserved respect. Dave wanted the entire town to respect him but really yearned for it mostly from his parents. He worked hard in the fields and the money that he earned went to his mother. "Ol' man Hawkins give