Tribalism and religious identity in the work of Richard Wright

Richard Wright is familiar to many as a literary author whose work portrayed race and adversity in America. Examining a less familiar theme in Wright's work, this article examines Wright's use of the concept of tribalism. It argues that Wright employed this problematic metaphor in his fiction and non-fiction in order to depict American revivalism. Relating this to Wright's ideas about West African culture, this article analyzes the complex problems to which Wright responded and the often contradictory orientations of Wright himself. It concludes that Wright's critique of religious identity and difference is ultimately helpful for ongoing scholarly studies of religion in America.