If a person had never experienced the feeling of pity, then they could never have read about the sad tale of Bigger Thomas and his inevitable demise in Richard Wright's "Native Son." Undoubtedly, this novel is the most melancholy story I have ever read. Of course Tess Durbeyfield, Jane Eyre, and even Victor Frankenstien dealt with their own cases of sadness whether in rape, abuse, or death. But none of those emotional novels stand comparable to the horrible ordeals that Bigger Thomas encounters in "Native Son."
This book's great tragedy is most likely attributable to the racism that most African Americans faced in 1920's Chicago. Because of this harsh discrimination and prejudice towards Bigger and his race, he is driven to violence as his only outlet to be free and to fight the chains that White America has intentionally clasped on him. Yet in my eyes it's not really Bigger's choice to do so. Yes, he killed both Mary Dalton and Bessie on purpose and of his own accord. But what we, the readers, must notice is that both murders were commited out of fear rather than want or desire. Bigger did not want to be a criminal, a rapist, or a murder. Still, his fear of society's misinterpretation and the scary presence of Mrs. Dalton led him to smother Mary and then to hide her in the furnace. Again, he was afraid that Bessie was going to give him up or slow him down so he proceeded to do the only thing he thought he could do, kill her. In essence, White Americans drove him to murder those girls due to the fear they inspired in the Black communities.
When I read Native Son, I found it impossible to keep out of the shoes of my protaganist. Thus, as I heard, felt, and saw what Bigger did I consequently could see what drove him to do what he did and see the story through the eyes of a true victim.
- Jacob S.
I felt like Bigger's action were not wrong, but they weren't right.. They were justified. Constituted by what he saw as "no other choice."
ReplyDeleteI also felt like you. In discussion, most people said they couldn't sympathize with Bigger or understand, but as I read, I felt pity for him. I felt that he almost had no other choice and was acting merely off instincts.
ReplyDelete-Emily T
I can relate to your post. Being one of the few in the class who actually read Native Son, it is plain to see that Bigger is not the most likeable of characters. However, upon closer inspection, one can see that Bigger's actions are only reactions against the injustice of society against him.
ReplyDeleteByron C.
I think if you're black or have ever felt discriminated you can relate to the feeling of oppression that essentially drove Bigger to violence and madness. However, being a Chrsitian Ican not condone the crimes he committed. To me, Bigger is completely illogical. I can understand that he killed Mary by accident, but was chopping off her head really necessary? NO! Also I don't think he killed BEssie out of fear. I think he did it because he wanted to feel powerful and also to shut her u for good. If it was truly out of fear then he wouldn't have raped her because who rapes someone out of fear? IF he hadn't raped Bessie then maybe I could say he killed her out of fear, but when he raped her I realized what Bigger was right away. He is not someone to be pitied, he is despicable in everyway. If he had just killed Mary then I could pity him because that was purely accidental. But Bessie? Come on, that was pure evil.
ReplyDeleteRebekah Adeyemo
Woah, I didn't read Native Son but it sounds like a pretty intense novel. Until just now, I had only heard bits and pieces of the plot and it sounded pretty awful, in terms of brutality that is. I remember crinkling my nose and instantly thinking what a "monster" this Bigger Thomas character must have been to murder. However, what I like about your post, stalker, is that it makes me reevaluate what constitutes "evil". I believe that every action is the result of something that has preceded it. The idea that murder can be justified is not something I think I will ever fully buy into - unless it is in an act of self defense - but I would definitely enjoy looking into that topic.
ReplyDelete- Shelby H.