Native Son Richard Wright

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Recommended: The role of history in African American literature

Native son by Richard wright is a novel revolving around a young African American named bigger Thomas and his life working for the Daltons family. In a situation caught between faith and death, bigger must decide what he has to do to prove his innocence or fight after being caught in the midst of a violent act. “He knew that the moment he allowed himself to feel to its fullness how he live the shame and misery of their lives, he would be swept out of himself with fear and despair.” This quote describes the situation bigger and his family are in. His fears and inner demons reminding him and fighting back of where his mind is really at. Wright uses this sentence to describe bigger and the works of his mind, the power his thoughts have over …show more content…

He acts what comes first to his mind, free, and on his own power. Courageous, and filled with will he acts on his own, to escape and survive. The psychological theme fits well with the novel, overall the actions and decision bigger comes face to face seem traumatic and helpless. I think wright using this theme is what made the novel interesting and a hit. He uses words of expressions, and detailed. In an interview he mentions that: “You fill your press with accounts of Negro crime. In the South, you use the Negro’s alleged criminality to prove that he can only be kept in order by extra- legal means, such as lynching and brutal segregation. Very well then, let us take one of the worst possible examples of Negro crime; let us examine the case; let us see who this criminal is; let us see whom he murdered and why; let us see what was his state of mind before he murdered and after. Let us see who were his friends, who persecuted him, who tried to help him before the murders, and who tried to help him …show more content…

It challenging, typical, vivid, expressive in all it could be. The use of symbolism provides details, oriented and carefully yet fiercely intact in all its senses, proving readers a touch of the south and it’s mercenary. Richard infuses his youthful experiences from segregation, racism, and the South. In the end, we all expect and know once you play with fire, you’re likely to get burned. Bigger fought and showed will of power, but the entities that surrounded him were powerful and destructive. Historical theme, also another perfect fit for this novel. The daily lives of every human caught in ties with violent bows of darkness. Not only the style and technique but the history of this nation, exposed to such cruelty under the influence of this ruinous world since the beginning of mankind. Just like the book influenced us, it influenced a writer. “Wright was one of the people who made me conscious of the need to struggle,” said writer Amiri Baraka. Wright not only created a masterpiece, but an open book towards the lives of those who go through the

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