Black Boy Literature and Writing Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Section.Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

But these self-doubts did not last long; I dulled the sense of loss through reading, reading, writing and more writing. (2.15.186)

Other people turn to drugs; Richard turns to literature. At least with books you can borrow them from the library.

Quote #8

"Richard, are you ill?" my mother called.

"No. I’m reading." (2.18.34)

We can see how his mom got the two confused. They share a lot of the same symptoms: cold sweats, seeing things that aren’t there, staying up late at night, a lack of interest in eating. We know those symptoms, and it was years before we were cured—er, graduated.

Quote #9

My writing was my way of seeing, my way of living, my way of feeling; and who could change his sight, his notion of direction, his senses? (2.19.173)

Is Richard saying that he can experience the world, all from the seat of his writing desk? We’ll leave you with this quote: Butterfly in the sky/I can go twice as high/Take a look/It’s in a book/A Reading Rainbow. Truer words have never been sung.