Freedom And Alienation In Richard Wright's Native Son

Crimes, violence, catastrophes and injustices are most common topics to find on the internet, television and other social media sites. Just recently, the Baltimore case and Nepal tragedy are the main focus. As what everyone expects, America is the Dreamland, a place of hope and justice, where freedom and equality are granted to everybody. In contrast to the expectations, America, just like any other countries, once had conflict with the “Natives”, which is known to be the Civil War that even time can’t even heal. Richard Wright’s Native Son thoroughly enhances the meaning, themes and purpose of the novel as a whole through Foster’s inferences that emphasizes the irony of Bigger as the “native son” but suffers tremendously from alienation. Through

They are not only famous nationwide but they are conquering the world with their talents. And they have the power and capabilities to show who they really are, to dream and achieve, simply being free. Conversely, Bigger’s life is all about depravity. Bigger is the main character in the Native Son, a young African-American, who works for the White family as the driver, because his mom forces him to help with the expenses at their house. The Black community struggles with the agony placed to them against their homeland and Bigger is no exception to this (Native Son, Book 1). His only dream is to be able to fly a plane and is strongly fond of birds. This notions is broaden through Foster’s interpretations through his chapter “Flights of Fancy.” (Foster, page.136) Bigger grows up in the community where unfairness and clear discrimination is inevitable and everyone feels chained with this kind of damnation. Wright effectively applies a dream to Bigger that is long-reaching and high, like a plane, it sounds near but is far in real life. This is to illustrate the frustration not only for Bigger but the whole Black community who struggles to reach their goal and freely do what they aspire to do. This chapter also demonstrates how this affects Bigger’s mentality upon leaving the incident of both Mary and Bessie’s murder cases. Foster implicates that this does not only

As a Black Family who lives in a non-friendly community, they struggle more than a typical white family. Bigger may seem to be disrespectful and disobedient child, but he has the heart to help his family get out of poverty, not quiet. Bigger is unfortunately sick of his mom suggesting about finding a job to pay for their rent. However, Bigger does not want to get the money clean that is why he joins his group of friends to rob a store owned by a white person, and as expected they did not succeed. (Native Son, Book 1) On the other hand, earning money morally is much harder than just stealing it from somebody. For Bigger, it is an overwhelming challenge for him to work for the Dalton’s, who is well known as a wealthy family. Just like what Foster predicted in “how to read literature like a professor”, the quester is immature, young and inexperienced. His main purpose is to work and drive for the family, however certain circumstances comes into place that later on breaks down Bigger’s character. Ironically, Foster mentions that the “real quester looks for self-knowledge” (Foster, page.3) not the stated reason. Unfortunately, Bigger learns about himself and what he is capable of doing, however, he discovers in a crucial, brutal and difficult way. Book 1 of the Native Son mentions