Native Son - A Book Review

Native Son by Richard Wright is a novel that gives a disturbing view of society. The main character, Bigger Thomas, is anything but a hero. The society of the nineteen forties Chicago area that his character exists in is equally, if not more problematic than post civil war southern America. Native Son is riddled with cultural, intellectual and physical confrontations. Deciding whom to assign blame to for the books tragedies is difficult due to many seemingly responsible parties.

Bigger Thomas is plagued by his own lack of knowledge. Having come from poverty and having few positive opportunities, he is doomed by is own ignorance and lack of motivation for what is good from the beginning. But this is only one of the facets that may be root of the novels tragedies. Society is at fault for letting Bigger Thomas and the black minorities live the way described in the novel.

Through the guise of anti-Semitism blacks are oppressed severely. Chicago is filled with opulence that is enjoyed by few but is seen by all. This segregation is but one of the many degrees of separation that divides the people. Unspoken rules of hosing regulations put in place by rich white realtors kept the other races in segregated areas.

Another important issue that may have some bearing on the novels tragedies is the fact that the difference in the way peoples thinking. Bigger was thrown into a culture shock when he gained work with the Dalton family. The daughter and her boyfriend are part of the communist party. They believe in equality for all man a concept totally foreign to Bigger. As much as the daughter Mary and her boyfriend Jan try to empathize with Bigger the more he feels awkward. Mr. And Mrs. Dalton are equally as different minded. If Mr. Dalton is not racist himself he is a sheltered mind. As much as anyone outside of Biggers neighborhood tries to understand him they fall miserably short.

Members of society and government also played a significant role in the tragedies. The media will crucify those whom they choose. The police department is more inclined to make an arrest of a black man based solely on skin color. The judicial system is also unfairly weighted against the black person.

With so many variables weighing against Bigger, it is now wonder that bad things happen to and by him. He and his entire race in that area are predisposed to the evils that man inflicts upon man. None of the tragedies in the book needed to have taken place if people treated each other with a common respect.