Irony of "Big Black Good Man"

Irony of “Big Black Good Man”

Wright’s “Big Black Good Man” is a story of racism and inferiority. Throughout

history and beginning with slavery America has tried to keep the black man down. In this

story Wright is able to turn the tables and make Olaf a white man feel inferior and scared

of Jim a black man. Although Olaf has no reason to hate and fear Jim he does. Irony

plays a big part in Wright’s “Good Big Black Man”. It is displayed in the title, the

characters, and the outcome.

The title of “Big Black Good Man” displays irony. It is ironic because from the

name of the title the reader would assume this story is about a good man but throughout

the story Olaf portrays Jim as a bad man. One example is the first time Olaf sees Jim he

describes him as the biggest, strangest, and blackest man he had ever seen. Another

example is when Jim asks Olaf for a woman for the night. Olaf tried to rationalize his

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