THE CONFRONTATION

Both "The Fight" by Richard Wright and "The Confrontation" by Raymond Barrio are surprisingly similar. They're both involved in "Man vs. Man" conflicts. Which is a conflict between two characters. Wright had encountered a problem with a boy at his new school. While Barrio had a character, named Manuel find himself standing up to former employee named Roberto.

Wright was a new student in school. He was quit nervous and thoughtful about how him the boys would hit it off. The first half of the day was uneventful. Then the lunch bell had ranged. Wright was in the schoolyard when a small group of boys sauntered up to him. Both only had spoken. Their conversation turned to a battle of insults. Wright figured that this was a test. Meaning that the boys bothering him will remember him for standing to them. Wright wasn't easily intimidated, he used this moment to show the other students that he can fight as well. So the next thing you know the crowd surrounding them led the boys that was bothering Wright to push into him. So this led to Wright fighting with the boy. It wasn't really fight because the crowd between them both. Although they were throwing punches they weren't landing. At the end of the day Wright was looking for the boy so he could fight him again. But they were nowhere to be found. So Richard went home. On his way he found a ring that he was going to use. But to his surprise the description of the ring had gotten around the school and nobody wanted to bother him anymore. His fellow school mates wanted to be friends with him. Manuel was a employee at a Orchard owned by the Gueros. He worked as a fruit picker. Manuel was tired after a long day of work when a fellow employee by the name of Roberto said that "I am taking two cents worth of fruit from everyone's basket". Roberto was portrayed as a cannibal because he takes advantage of his own people. He steals from them and pretends to be their friends. Manuel felt as if they were being robbed of their work. And he had a family to feed at home. So he took a stand against Roberto so he can have his right amount of money to take home. So he kicked over his bucket of fruit and Roberto was shocked that he did it. His fellow employees were about to do the same thing. So Roberto gave up without a fight. Manuel was proud of his self and realized how bold and brave he was for standing up for himself and his employees. But he had a feeling that he would to pay for his defiance but it will not be because the Gueros will make him. He would have to face Roberto once again. Manuel didn't feel like a animal because he stood up for himself and others. Wright and Manuel are the same because they stood up for themselves. Wright used violence to prove that he was tough. Manuel used words and courage to prove that everyone should go home with their equal amount of pay. They believed that everyone is equal and shouldn't be taken advantage of. Both Manuel and Wright went home with a new found respect and dignity for themselves.

Richard and Manuel are different in the stories because one used violence when the other didn't. Manuel didn't use violence because it wasn't necessary. He just wanted to take a stand and fight for quality for his fellow employees. Roberto was trying to take an advantage of them and Manuel wasn't having it. In conclusion to the their altercation Manuel became victorious. Manuel wasn't feeling like a animal anymore. He became more like a man who can experience honor and pride. Manuel was no longer a animal. He felt as if had been liberated. Richard was attending a new school. Of course he had thoughts like "How am I going to hit it off with the boys?". But to his surprise at lunch time his question was answered. A group of boys approached him. But only one spoke to him. The conversation progressed then took a turn to a Word Death Match. Then before you know it the crowd had pushed the boys into each other which caused them to fight. As the crowd was doing this Richard and the boy was fighting. They weren't really hitting each other because the crowd was getting in between them. So they just stopped fighting. Richard felt as if this was a test of faith and he passed. He wanted to prove that was tough as the other boys. Richard was proud of himself. He went to school the next day with a new level of population.

In conclusion both Wright and Barrio are the same. They stood up for their rights, equality and prevailed. Even thought they were scared about the outcome of the situation, they still took the leap of faith. Wright on the other hand went about his situation another way. While Barrio' character had more thought to his actions. Both their actions determined their future which resulted to their endings to be similar. Wright and Barrio have different beliefs of being a man or being triumph or in other words, they have different mind sets of being accepted by their fellow peers. One used violence while the other used words and smart and tactical actions.

JAMES SHEPPARD
© James Sheppard 2010