Freedom: A Critical Study in The Outsider by Richard Wright

Abstract

This study falls into the rubric of struggle for freedom in The Outsider by Richard Wright, an Afro-American novelist. Each person in this earth has all rights to live his life as he wills. Freedom is a right that the people are looking for. All of us want to live our lives as we will without intervention of others. In the oppressed societies freedom is not giving, is taking, sometimes by peaceful struggle, and sometimes by force. The dictatorial regimes don't respect human rights and don't give people their freedom. According to Thucydides, “The secret to happiness is freedom... And the secret to freedom is courage”. Moreover, Herbert Hoover stresses that “Freedom is the open window through which pours the sunlight of the human spirit and human dignity.” This study attempts to show how the people are looking for freedom. They struggle for this human value. Richard Wright assures in one of his works, The Outsider on the value of freedom. This research paper will present how the main character of the novel was trying to get his right and freedom through his struggle and suffering. This character embodies the value of human dignity.