Symbolism In Native Son

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Not long after publication, Native Son had sold nearly a million copies. During the era in which it was published (Jim Crow), this is a shock, especially due to the fact that the story is not only a Negro but by a Negro. This story has three settings; a heavily black populated area of Chicago, an upper-class section inhabited by whites, and in a court room and jail. The Negro’s name who wrote the novel is Richard Wright and the novel is about a boy named Bigger Thomas. He burns the corpse of the body of a whited woman he had recently killed and almost raped. Then, afterwards, he writes a fake note for kidnapping the women and demands money for her. Soon, his actions are discovered and he kills his black girlfriend. Then he gets caught and sentenced to death. This novel centers on discrimination and racism in America. Wright uses his own experiences and other components to help underline the theme that segregation only separated Americans and stroke fear and hatred in them to a point where it led to violence.

Section 1: Literary devices

Richard Wright uses devices such as symbolism, irony, and a motif to explore theme that racism has scared Americans and it will only lead to violence. It is important for the reader to interpret the symbolism used throughout the novel because it is a part of the bigger picture. There were exactly three symbolic things in the novel. Mrs. Dalton blindness was one. Dalton was trying to help Negroes by either sending them to school or hiring them. It seems as though she did not see everything, although she saw more than others who can see. This blindness may also serve as racism in society. When Dalton couldn’t see Bigger in Mary’s room, he started tripping. Thus, helping to prove the point that whi...

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... his fears and did things. Even though the law eventually caught up to him, he did not let that stop him from doing everything he did in the novel. His first murder was only because he did not want to get into trouble with the white family he was working for. After no getting caught in the beginning, it boosted him up some. So this must mean that not being submissive makes you feel stronger, just as long as you do not get punished for it.
Conclusion
Stereotypes limit effective communication and “blind the eyes.” Similarly, the stereotypes in Native Son had made barriers resulting in problems not just for Bigger, but for everyone that was involved with him. Students of today, may relate and connect stereotypes and their influences on opinions. Doing this creates a better understanding that may go beyond certain laws of barriers such as race, gender and even mental.

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