What role does hunger play in the autobiography?

Poverty and hunger are interconnected and both are terrifying aspects of Richard’s life, especially during his younger years. He suffers from near starvation, and serious malnutrition. For many years he exits on mush for breakfast and a plate of greens for his second meal. Richard sometimes accompanies his mother to her job cooking for a white family. He watches as they eat lavish and bountiful amounts of food while he gets a few scraps.

Poverty and hunger figure as themes throughout the book as most Southern blacks never had enough money to get adequate and nutritious food. Richard sees some blacks, like Shorty, completely degrade themselves for money and food. Many Negros steal from whites in order to augment their meager provisions.