"It means no worries for the rest our days, it's our problem free philosophy!" This simple statement sung by a warthog and his muskrat friend applies directly to the characterization and structure of Richard Wright's short story "The Man Who Lived Underground." The work itself is satiated with issues such as religion, stealing, desperation and even death. The narrator does not mature as a character because he consistently disregards feelings without remorse, generally keeps to himself with minimal interactions or desires, and is crazy not only due to the fact he seeks sick thrills but also his level of communication digresses throughout the story.
             Throughout the course of the story, the narrator does not exhibit the qualities of a well rounded or a self-actualized person. This however does not mean that he lacks a philosophy. The ancient Greek philosopher Zeno developed a philosophy known as Stoicism. This was the primary belief system and philosophy of the Stoics in ancient Greece and the fundamental crux of Stoicism is indifference to pleasure or pain, or being in the constant state of impassiveness. In regards to the story, the narrator not only witnessed the beating of a child, stole valuable jewelry, broke a combination lock and stole a radio. Standing alone these things are terrible, insane and appalling but compounded with the fact he shows no remorse allows the reader no choice but to hold him in very low esteem.
             Secondly, the narrator is not a growing, maturing developing character seeing as he keeps to himself with few interactions or desires to grow with the outside world. Wright's story is sparkling exhibit to an ancient proverb, "It is better to be silent and thought a fool, than to speak up and remove all doubt." There is perfect evidence in and around the scenes of the church. Fred Daniels is obviously lost and confused amidst the church service and the interr...