Richard Wright's Almos' A Man

Seen on PBS

Written by: Richard Wright

Starring: LeVar Burton, Madge Sinclair

Directed By: Stan Lathan Description: Although Dave (LeVar Burton) and his family are poor sharecroppers in the Deep South in the 1930's, this 15 year-olds problem is shared by teenagers today: he stands with one foot in adulthood and the other in childhood. "Almos' A Man", yet still treated like a child, he struggles for an identity. There's one thing, one symbol of manhood, Dave thinks, that could guarantee him instant respect: a gun.

Dave finds a way to buy a pistol and at last, is ready to pull the trigger for the first time, never again will they call him a boy…But, he trembles, the gun overpowers the boy's body and he loses control. His first shot is a fatal shot -his young life forever changed.

DVD Extras: About the Author, Actors’ Bios About the American Short Story Collection Henry Fonda Intro Printable Study Guide