The Man Who Was Almost a Man, Richard Wright: Summary & Analysis

‘The Man Who Was Almost a Man’ is a compelling short story by American author Richard Wright (1908-60), originally published as ‘Almos’ a Man’ in Harper’s Bazaar in 1940 and later revised by Wright in 1960. The story delves into the life of Dave Saunders, a black seventeen-year-old laborer in the Southern United States. Frustrated by the lack of respect he receives from his peers, Dave becomes fixated on acquiring a gun as a means to assert his manhood. Plot Summary Dave Saunders is a young African American farm laborer who yearns for a sense of independence and dignity. He believes that owning a gun would earn him the respect he craves from his coworkers, who often treat him like a mere boy. Encouraged by the idea of becoming a "real man," Dave decides to buy a gun from Joe, the local store owner. At home, Dave's mother discovers him with a gun catalog and initially disapproves of his desire to purchase the weapon. However, Dave persuades her to let him buy it by claiming …