The protagonist of Richard Wright's short story "The Man Who Was Almost a Man" is an adolescent named Dave who works with older, tougher men who he feels view him with little respect. He bugs himself with thoughts of owning a gun, believing he would have the self-esteem and others respect if he did. Dave eventually purchases a gun but tragedy occurs when he does. He does not win the respect of others rather, the gun causes Dave to be scorned and censured for his unintentional killing of a mule. Finally instead of paying for his mistake, Dave hops a train and leaves town in shame. Dave's experience fails to win him respect but does cause his loss of innocence and initiation into adulthood. Richard Wright felt that a gun would give him that realization
