Richard Wright - The protagonist and narrator, Richard is an introspective and rebellious young man growing up in the racist Jim Crow South. He hungers for knowledge and freedom of expression, constantly questioning the oppressive societal norms around him. His curiosity and defiance often put him at odds with family members and authority figures.

Ella Wright - Richard's strong-willed mother, who faces immense hardship raising her children alone after being abandoned by her husband. Despite her struggles with poverty and illness, she is determined to provide for her family. Her strict discipline and resilience deeply influence Richard.

Nathan Wright - Richard's father, who deserts the family early in Richard's childhood, plunging them into poverty. His absence is a formative experience for Richard and represents the broader theme of abandonment.

Granny - Richard's grandmother, a devout Seventh-day Adventist, embodies the religious and moral constraints that Richard rebels against. Her harsh punishments and attempts to instill her beliefs in Richard create a tense conflict between them.

Aunt Addie - Granny's youngest daughter, who runs the Christian school Richard attends. Like Granny, she tries to discipline and impose her religious views on Richard, further fueling his resistance.

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"Black Boy" was widely acclaimed upon its publication and has since become a classic work of African-American literature. It was enthusiastically received by the reading public, topping bestseller lists when it was published as a Book-of-the-Month Club selection in 1945. Critics praised Wright's vivid depiction of the realities of life for a young black man under the pressures of a racist environment. The book blurs the boundaries between fiction and nonfiction, dramatizing scenes from Wright's early life while capturing his emotional reactions, intellectual awakening, and condemnation of American racism.

Wright uses "Black Boy" to trace his development as a writer and the difficulty of becoming a responsible and articulate black man in an oppressive racist culture. Language is a central theme, with words depicted as both a tool for transcending one's environment and a dangerous weapon in the face of racism. The book is considered one of the most influential works in African-American literature.

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