Always Outnumbered Always Outgunned Analysis

In his novel, “Always Outnumbered Always Outgunned” author Walter Mosley places importance on the idea of male black bonds though the idea of brotherhood. He uses the main character, Socrates, and his relationships with other male black men to show the importance of community. Mosley uses his novel to state that brotherhood can be used to combat white injustice and better the black community by looking out for one another. The first brotherly relationship that Socrates has is with Daryl. in the absence of a strong male role model, Socrates acts as a big brother, or even a father figure to Daryl. Socrates teaches Daryl many lessons including how to protect himself, how to cook and care for himself, and how to work. Mosley is making the claim that black men need to serve as leaders for the younger boys in the community. While Socrates’s motives are questionable when he does not turn Daryl in for killing another boy the readers are led to believe that Socrates did the right thing. He is able to teach Daryl a lesson and show him his wrongdoing. Mosely is again showing the power of a positive male role model. Daryl learns that both

This relationship was based upon total compassion and love. Socrates was there in his Right’s last moments. He proved to be a loyal friend giving his own, fairly limited, wealth to better Right’s standard of living. This male relationship is different from the other two, in that it has much more vulnerability. Rather than Socrates serving as a mentor or challenger, he is serving as Right’s equal. In the end, his masculinity prevented direct displays of male affection but the mutual admiration that these men shared is clear when Right said: “I know you love me, man. I love you too” (207). Mosley is concluding the portrayal of this third type of male relationship by saying that black men do not have to be overtly affectionate to show their love, care, and compassion for one