Richard Wright
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Major Issues Major IssuesLiterary historians look back to Richard Wright as "the father" of 20th century African American fiction. Many studies have looked at his influence on later black writers, including James Baldwin and Ralph Ellison. Scholars have examined Wright’s portrayal of African Americans in both rural and urban settings, and note his bald, evocative depiction of racism, poverty, and violence. Critics have also observed, however, that Wright’s themes of marginality and alienation resonate beyond ethnic boundaries. Wright’s belief in, and demonstration of, the social and political responsibility of literature has been fully explored by critics. The surreal, existential features of Wright’s fiction have also drawn scholarly attention. Author Links
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