'learn how to live in the south' .

Griggs is a boy who Wright went to school with and when Wright and Griggs see each other, Griggs tells Wright that he needs to ‘learn how to live in the south’. Griggs is basically saying that he needs to smile and act a certain way when whites are around. The way he needs to act is to make sure that he remembers they are white and that they are superior to him. Wright must show that they are basically above him and that Wright is under him. Although Wright must act like this in public, he can still think whatever he wants and have his own thoughts about the whites when he is alone. The white people are watching Wright’s moves and what he does. He must watch what he does in front of the white people so he does not end up dead or punished by them. Griggs also tells him that he must be patient and act this certain way.