American Hunger (Black Boy Book II)

After eading Book 1 of Black Boy in class, I decided that I wanted to go on and read Book 2 on my own as an independent reading book, and I loved it. Book 2 continues on with the story of Richard Wright into his years living in Chicago with his family. He struggles through a number of dead-end dishwashing type jobs, and is finally forced to go on the relief system. He cleans hospitals and sweeps the streets for meager pay, all the while beginning his career as a communist. He joins the local John Reed club (affiliated with the communists), and is soon elected president. However, from here, things begin to go downhill. There is much tension between the communist and non-communist members of the club. Fighting breaks out, accusations are tossed around, and Wright finds himself in the middle of it all. As a writer, he recieves criticism for being an intellectual, and is constantly accused of being against the working class. Eventually he is thrown out of the party and the club, and the communists refuse to even talk to him. Even throughout the hardships he has faced, he continues to stay strong and support his family.