Richard Wright's "Native Son"

It is easy to detect some of Wright’s own personal thoughts in his writing of Native Son. The comparison of growing up without a father, exposure to racial prejudice, and his involvement with the Communist Party are very evident within the story. I can understand why this story would have brought him much attention and acclamation. Thus far in our readings, I believe it to be the most interesting and intriguing for me personally. As I tried to determine where the story was going as I read, the ending was not what I would have predicted. With our assignment being only an excerpt from the novel, I plan on reading the entire book.

Bigger Thomas is an attention-grabbing character to say the least. It was easy to feel compassion for the young man as he was thrown into quite a different world from what he had experienced thus far. I believe he represents the intuitive side of most of us, always looking to seek more but not quite understanding how to handle it when we get it. It equates to successful celebrities today. Many grew up without so much, and once they become successful with the millions earned today, they find themselves making poor choices and ending up either in trouble or losing their fortunes. I believe Bigger, even though he seemed to be on the defensive at times, let himself get caught up in the moment with Mary physically which caused his downfall.

Throughout the story, he is a victim of circumstances of temptation presented by those more fortunate. He seems to be treated very well by Mr. and Mrs. Dalton and Peggy, but then Mary comes onto the scene. It is easy to understand his confusion as to how to handle himself in the situation. I felt anger at Mary and Jan as I read the account of the evening out. I felt they were toying with Bigger and using him for their own entertainment. I think in their minds they felt they may have wanted to do good through the Communist party; however, many join these organizations just to be able to appear interested in others’ wellbeing simply for appearance sake. Bigger represented man today in his plight to please employers and others by doing what we believe we must to maintain our jobs and place in society. Many times we are expected to perform tasks which, although they may not be illegal, they are immoral.

Mary’s demise was not only a surprise to the reader but I am sure to her as well. She was out for a fun night on the town at the expense of the new “negro”. She let bad choices get the better of her and, as many young people do, they don’t realize how one can cause such destruction.

I do plan on reading the rest of the story to discover what happened to Bigger following Mary’s death.