Native Son Essay: Bigger as a Reflection of Society

1448 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Richard Wright views on racism in Native Sons

Bigger as a Reflection of Society in Native Son

In Native Son, Wright employs Naturalistic ideology and imagery, creating the character of Bigger Thomas, who seems to be composed of a mass of disruptive emotions rather than a rational mind joined by a soul. This concept introduces the possibility that racism is not the only message of the novel, that perhaps every person would feel as isolated and alone as Bigger does were he trapped in such a vicious cycle of violence and oppression. Bigger strives to find a place for himself, but the blindness he encounters in those around him and the bleak harshness of the Naturalistic society that Wright presents the reader with close him out as effectively as if they had shut a door in his face. In the first book, Wright tells the reader "these were the rhythms of his life: indifference and violence; periods of abstract brooding and periods of intense desire; moments of silence and moments of anger -- like water ebbing and flowing from the tug of a far-away, invisible force" (p.31). Bigger is controlled by forces that he cannot tangibly understand. The society seems to bear down upon him like a weight, and only by being nonconformist to all philosophies does Bigger feel that he can throw off that weight of oppression and misunderstanding.

Bigger's many acts of violence are, in effect, a quest for a soul. He desires an identity that is his alone. Both the white and the black communities have robbed him of dignity, identity, and individuality. The human side of the city is closed to him, and for the most part Bigger relates more to the faceless mass of the buildings and the mute body of the city than to another human being. He constantly sums up his feelings of frustration as wan...

... middle of paper ...

...ght's Art of Tragedy. Iowa City: U of Iowa Press, 1986.

Kinnamon, Keneth and Michel Fabre, eds. Conversations with Richard Wright. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 1993.

Kinnamon, Keneth. The Emergence of Richard Wright: A Study Literature and Society. Urbana: U of Illinois P, 1973.

Kinnamon, Keneth, ed. New Essays on Native Son. New York: Cambridge UP, 1990.

Macksey, Richard and Frank E. Moorer, eds. Richard Wright: A Collection of Critical Essays. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1984.

Margolies, Edward. The Art of Richard Wright. Carbondale: Southern Illinois UP, 1969.

Miller, Eugene E. Voice of a Native Son: The Poetics of Richard Wright. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 1990.

Rampersad, Arnold, ed. Richard Wright: A Collection of Critical Essays. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1995.

Show More
Related

  • Sacrifices in The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald

    1770 Words  | 4 Pages

    Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1991. Clark, Larry. A. A. "*******your essay ideas*******." E-Mail message. 10 March 1996.

    Read More

  • The Importance of the Cat in Native Son

    1357 Words  | 3 Pages

    Appiah, K. A. and Henry Louis Gates, Jr., eds.  Richard Wright: Critical Perspectives Past and Present.  New York: Amistad Press, 1993.

    Read More

  • Theme Analysis of Killings by Andre Dubus

    753 Words  | 2 Pages

    Meyer, Michael. The Bedford Introduction to Literature. Ed. 8th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2008. 2189.

    Read More

  • Richard Wright Essay

    1300 Words  | 3 Pages

    Poet, journalist, essayist, and novelist Richard Wright developed from an uneducated Southerner to one of the most cosmopolitan, politically active writers in American literature. In many of Richard Wright's works, he exemplifies his own life and proves to “white” America that African American literature should be taken seriously. Before Wright, “white” America failed to acknowledge the role African American writing played in shaping American culture. It was shocking in itself that an African American could write at all. Thus, Richard Wright is well known as the father of African American literature mainly because of his ability to challenge the literary stereotypes given to African Americans.

    Read More

  • Animal Symbolism in Native Son by Richard Wright

    1446 Words  | 3 Pages

    Macksey, Richard and Frank E. Moorer, eds. Richard Wright: A Collection of Critical Essays. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1984.

    Read More

  • Plurality Voting System in Canada

    2538 Words  | 6 Pages

    ...n elections and electoral reform in canada. The New England Journal of Political Science, 2(2), 122-151.

    Read More

  • The Blend of Cultures in English con Salsa by Gina Valdes

    825 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...new right away I could relate it since English is my second language. In this poem there is a combination of the two languages I know, English and Spanish, which then converts into a new language Spanglish. Many Latino teenagers and children, like me, speak English at work and school and speak Spanish mostly when they are at home. Therefore, the way we Latino people speak is almost like the way Ms. Valdez wrote this poem. This poem is also a reality in the lives of those who migrate to the United States. Many immigrants see that everything is different and new. They also see that they have to slowly adapt to the new environment. Through Gina’s choice of words and imagery, she makes the Latino audience feel more serene with the American Language and culture. All of the humor, imagery, and similes used in this poem made this poem much more enjoyable and relatable.

    Read More

  • The Dominance of Gothic Architecture in The High Middle Ages

    1358 Words  | 3 Pages

    When one sees the Notre Dame de Paris cathedral in person or in pictures they are likely to be awestruck. The twin towers of the western façade rise high into the sky, seemingly in an attempt to scrape heaven. Spiky arches seem to grow out of the sides and claw at the ground. Inside it is cavernous with colored light filtering in through the large, intricate stained glass windows. All of these physical qualities make Notre Dame a prime example of Gothic architecture. It does not stand alone in that distinction. One is also likely to see several hundred examples of this style on varying scales throughout Europe. Because, despite its humble origins, Gothic architecture became the standard for religious buildings in the early 11th century thanks to innovative use of new and old design techniques which resulted in majestic buildings that symbolized the builder’s version of heaven.

    Read More

  • American Politics and the Middle East

    2042 Words  | 5 Pages

    Levit, M 2009, ‘Cause, and Effects of the Negative Middle East Attitude towards the US’,

    Read More

  • Lowering Drinking Age to 18

    1208 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...d help the stores, and the local stores might just have a better chance of getting more money, but others think it would be a great idea. Underage drinking may cost problems, and way of having problems with family, friends, and school, but they are wrong. Drinking at a young age, may just make everything worst. There are many drinking the more emotions, and nothing good ever came out of it. It just may make you someone you never wanted to be. young adults underage drinking has caused most accidents. Young adults have been dying more and more since they’re taken advantage of it. the’re been getting in car crashes, and parents are being more protected, but young adult just don’t listen, and they never learn. some people want the age to be higher, not just 21. some say leave it the way it is. Adults of the age of 21 are mature and they understand what they are doing.

    Read More

  • My Immigration to America Story

    699 Words  | 2 Pages

    Since I still wanted to make friends, I desperately continued to try to break down the barrier between my peers and I and I slowly began to succeed. As I began making more and more friends, my experience in the U.S. started to become a happier one. Although there were still many things about American culture that I did not understand, I chose to face my fears head on which lead to a more content life. I realized that no matter where you are from, what obstacles you had to face, or what social class you belong to, coming to America gives you an opportunity to build a new and better life for you and your family. The journey to learn this lesson was not an easy one, but I’m glad I learned it.

    Read More

  • Jealousy creates Conflict in the Crucible by Arthur Miller

    689 Words  | 2 Pages

    One of the most important conflicts that transpire is between Abigail and John, and Abigail’s jealously towards John’s wife Goody Proctor. The first case of jealously and conflict between these characters is when John has called Abigail to the woods to confront her about the accusations her and the other girls have been making. Abigail thinks differently; she believes that John is calling her to the woods to tell her that he wants to be with her. This is not the case though, John says he comes in friendly but he later reveals his true intentions and tells Abigail that she is not to call out Elizabeth’s name. Abigail proclaims “: Oh, I marvel how such a strong man may let such a sickly wife be— Proctor, angered-at himself as well: You’ll speak nothing’ of Elizabeth.” Abigail: she is blackening my name in the village! She is telling lies about me! She is a cold, snivelling woman, and you bend to her! Let her turn you like a- Proctor, shaking her: Do you look for whipping’? Abigail refers to Goody Proctor as “ a snivelling woman” to make John believe that she is upset that Goody Proctor is vilifying her reputation in the town. The real reasoning behind Abigail insulting her is not because she thinks her name is being blackened but she is trying to cover up her unrequited feelings she has for John. Abigail is later brought up in the Proctor household...

    Read More

  • Richard Wright’s Misperception of Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God

    2452 Words  | 5 Pages

    Kinnamon, Keneth. The Emergence of RIchard Wright: A Study in Literature and Society. 1973. Reprint, Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1972.

    Read More

  • Security over Privacy: The Price that Must Be Paid for the Greater Good

    524 Words  | 2 Pages

    With this assumption, and providing that the government would act appropriately on the information gained, with the relinquishment of our privacy the government then has the ability to prevent possible shootings, terrorist attacks, organized crime, gang activity, financial fraud, identity theft, and any number of crimes both large and small.

    Read More

  • The Chicago Seven Trial

    1645 Words  | 4 Pages

    ... middle of paper ... ... The. N. p. : University of Chicago Press, 2009.

    Read More

More about Native Son Essay: Bigger as a Reflection of Society

Open Document