The Psychological Effects Of Racism In Richard Wright's Native Son

In the critically acclaimed novel Native Son, Richard Wright, the most influential African American writer of the 20th century, creates a literary masterpiece that perfectly reflects the everyday struggles of African Americans in the 1930’s, who barely made end’s meet in the rough and gritty streets of Chicago. In this controversial novel, Richard Wright walks the readers through the troublesome life of Bigger Thomas, the oppressed and impoverished antihero of Native Son, who shocked the nation with his profanity and violent outbursts. Wright draws from his own past experiences and emotions to create the notorious and memorable Bigger Thomas, and utilizes the literary element character to demonstrate the harmful psychological effects of racism

Wright says that the man “refused to pay rent” (ix) to his white landlords, and describes him as a tough and troublesome man. When Wright asked the man why he acted like he did, the man responded by telling him that “the white folks had everything” (ix) and that “he had nothing” (ix). Deep inside Wright also felt this way, and he explained that he “longed to believe and act as he did” (ix) but he was too afraid to do so. Thus, Wright used his own emotions and past experiences with the men that he knew growing up to create Bigger

This data shows that religious practices help African Americans cope with racism and discrimination (Ellison, Musick, and Henderson 291). For example, after Bigger faints at the inquest in Native Son, Mrs. Thomas visits Bigger in jail, and brings a preacher along to give Bigger hope. Mrs. Thomas states, “‘I’m praying for you, son. That’s all I can do now’” (Wright 277). Mrs. Thomas tries to bring God into Bigger’s life, so that he can cope with the awful circumstances that surround him. Wright utilizes the literary element character with Mrs. Thomas, a devout Christian, to show how she coped with the horrible psychological effects of