Native Son Gun Analysis

The notion of manhood and what defines a man has been depicted in numerous works of art. The idea of manhood is defined to be the becoming of an adult for a male as well as masculine qualities needed to provide for one’s family, friends and also himself. The most frequent stance of masculinity is associated with the idea that a man must be mature, tough, possess strength mentally and physically, and also be a provider. In the book “Native Son” by Richard Wright, Wright depicts a gun as a representation of manhood. Wright uses a gun as a symbol to represent the main character Bigger Thomas’ manhood. In Wright’s work “Native Son”, Bigger Thomas, the main character, is faced with the problem of understanding himself as well as understand what being a man is. The use of a gun has been brought up several times throughout the story. When one thinks of a gun, one would usually think of a powerful weapon, small but powerful, control, power, and protection. Bigger uses the gun as a way of power and protection. Ensuring himself from danger and

“He rolled his eyes, looking longingly at the gun,” (252). This quote in the story shows Bigger’s excessive search in finding himself at what makes himself a man. Which is continuously shown in the story. When Bigger kills Mary, he feels a sense of dominance and strength but realizes who he is and his purpose. His sense of power and strength heightens and when he is “looking longingly at the gun” he is noticing and looking at his manhood in the view of a gun. Bigger is also trying to vindicate and conceal his manhood, not expressing to others how he feels or thinks. This is similar to how he conceals his gun and keeps it away from others. Bigger also keeps his actions concealed such as his relationships and killing Mary. This isolation is a part of the notion of manhood, concealing thoughts, feelings, no emotion and being to