Hunger for Life

Throughout the entire story so far, we continuously see Richard's physical hunger. He is practically starving for most of the book. There are several intervals of time when he is not hungry, but that quickly disappears. Physical hunger for food however, is clearly not the only hunger that Richard experiences. In the beginning, he doesn't fully realize the black and white tension and also how much much he wants to know. Later though, he finds out that there is much tension, and no one cares to answer his relentless questions. I think that they don't comprehend the fact that Richard simply wants to understand and have reasons for everything. Like proof for reality. He hungers for that knowledge. He wants to know more, and learn everything he can. This is why he wants to get jobs and save money. He needs to buy books and school clothes, etc. to fill his want for a higher education. In addition to this, he has a strong passion for writing. It occupies his time. He loves reading and writing anything he can. He told someone that he wants to be a writer, and the woman replies, "'A what?' 'A writer,' 'For what?' 'To write stories,' "You'll never be a writer'" (147). This woman assumes that he could never be a writer, and that he must be insane for thinking such a thing. However he continues to write and pursue his dream. Another example of this is when the principal wants him to present a speech at the graduation, and Richard refuses to present the suggested speech, because he wants to read his own. When asked for an opinon, his uncle says, "'The principal's speech is the better speech'" (177). He wants to take control of his own life, not let it be controlled by someone who doesn't even understand his passions, and his wants and needs. Richard hungers for many things and is also very passionate. What he really hungers for though, is his own life. Freedom from the difficult and unreasonable reality in which he struggles through for his entire childhood.