The theme of hunger persists throughout Black Boy. Richard shows not only his hunger for food, but hunger for knowledge and acceptance of who he is and how others see him. Richard's physical hunger surpasses his hunger for knowledge and acceptance, giving us perspective for his feelings and his living conditions. Poverty did not limit Richard's desire for education; he found his own opportunities to learn.
Physical hunger was a constant problem in Black Boy. From the start of the book, Richard's family was not well to do. When they moved to Memphis, and Richard's dad left the rest of the…
