“i’ll take that poker and hit you! ” i blurted at my father. he looked at my mother and laughed louder. “you told him to say that,” he said. “don’t say such things, richard,” my mother said. “you ought to be dead,” i said to the strange woman. the woman laughed and threw her arms about my father’s neck. i grew ashamed and wanted to leave. “how can you starve your children? ” my mother asked. “let richard stay with me,” my father said. “do you want to stay with your father, richard? ” my mother asked. “no,” i said. “you’ll get plenty to eat,” he said. “i’m hungry now,” i told him. “but i won’t stay with you.” what does the excerpt convey about wright’s personality as a child? he was stubborn and proud. he was afraid of his father. he was shy and deferential. he was easily influenced by others.