The Library Card
- Richard Wright
Literal Comprehension
The narrator in the story once happened to read in the newspaper 'Commercial Appeal' a bitter criticism on H.L. Mencken, a White man who was also an editor of an American Newspaper. From this, he developed his keen interest in knowing the reason why he was severely attacked, though he was white, since during that time only the blacks were the victims of hate and exploitation: As such, he wanted to read something about him. But, being Black, he didn't have any access to the library.
Yet he somehow managed to get the books from the library by using the library card of his boss. He, by reading the books of Mencken, came to understand the reality of his life as well as the life of the blacks. He realized that Mencken was criticized because of his hardest words over everything American and his appreciation of everything European.
Even he discovered that words could be used as weapons. His knowledge about the unjust treatment and exploitation of blacks from the Whites made him feel that he was gradually being distant from the Whites. He managed to study several other books also. His study of one novel helped him to understand his boss whereas the next one made him realize his mother's suffering.
At the end of the story, he is found to be in a dilemma since neither he along with other blacks could revolt against the whites nor could stay adjusting himself among them. So he simply wondered how long he could .endure this situation, though he seemed to be committed and determined to free the blacks from the clutch of the whites i.e. such an unjust society.
Interpretation
The story basically deals with colour and social discrimination between the Blacks and the Whites prevalent during the time after the civil war in the USA. lt presents the miserable and penurious condition of the blacks who were extremely conditioned and exploited by the Whites. Similarly, they were deprived of using public places like the public library, Playgrounds and public parks. This story also delineates the importance of education in human life.
The fact that educated people can only understand their life is proved here wrong. It is also vivid that uneducated and ignorant people act in the position of animals conditioned by human beings. They don't understand the injustice done to them by others. The same thing happened to the black people in the southern part of the USA.
The narrator, only after reading the books, realized that the blacks were treated inhumanly and discriminated against on the basis of the colour of their skin. Though he formed an extreme dislike for the Whites, yet he was in confusion on what steps to be taken to free themselves from the Whites. So he didn't find any options ultimately and wondered how long he could endure it. This shows how pitiable the blacks were that they even couldn't think of fighting for their rights and freedom.
Critical Thinking
The exposure of the miserable condition of the blacks is in fact heart-touching whereas focus made on the importance of education in human life is worth-appreciating. But, as we try to find its meaning at a deeper level, we might get disappointed since we find plenty of drawbacks and shortcomings here. As such, several questions arise in our minds. If Blacks were not given even basic education, how could Wright read about Mencken? How was it possible that the forged note couldn't be recognized by the librarian? How didn't the librarian suspect him since he went to the library frequently afterwards?
How can we believe that blacks were not given education in a country where higher secondary education was compulsory for all? Being the greatest democratic country, it is incredible that injustice and discrimination had existed there. If blacks were not allowed to enter the library, how did Wright get entry even for taking the books for others?
Assimilation
As I read the story, it reminded me of the Nepalese society under Rana rule. During that time, the common people were deprived of getting an education freely. Only education had been managed for the children of the Rana family. The courtiers and supporters were given the best opportunity and honour.
Rests of the others were compelled to bear exploitation and injustice. Even like-the blacks, they didn't have many options to live suppressed and dominated. Any voice of protest could take them to their death. Due to the people's ignorance, they could rule over the country for 104 years, same to the Blacks who were conditioned by the Whites for several years.
