Introduction

“Native Son” is a groundbreaking novel written by Richard Wright, first published in 1940. The book is a powerful exploration of racism, poverty, and the effects of systemic oppression on the individual. It tells the story of Bigger Thomas, a young African-American man living in Chicago’s South Side during the 1930s. The novel is divided into three parts: “Fear,” “Flight,” and “Fate,” which chronologically follow Bigger’s life as he navigates a world that seems designed to limit his opportunities and potential.

Review

“Native Son” is a compelling and emotionally charged narrative that delves deep into the psyche of its protagonist, Bigger Thomas. Wright’s vivid descriptions and raw portrayal of Bigger’s life offer a stark depiction of the harsh realities faced by African-Americans in the 1930s. The novel is unflinching in its portrayal of the systemic racism and economic inequality that Bigger and his community face.

The story begins with Bigger living in a cramped apartment with his mother and siblings, struggling to survive in a world that offers him few opportunities. When he gets a job as a chauffeur for a wealthy white family, the Daltons, he is thrust into a world that is starkly different from his own. A series of events leads to Bigger accidentally killing the Dalton’s daughter, Mary, which sets off a chain of events that ultimately leads to his downfall.

Wright’s writing is powerful and evocative, painting a vivid picture of Bigger’s world and the forces that shape his life. The novel is a stark indictment of the systemic racism and economic inequality that pervaded American society in the 1930s, and its themes remain relevant today.

Analysis

“Native Son” is a complex exploration of the effects of systemic racism and poverty on the individual. Bigger Thomas is a product of his environment, shaped by a society that views him as less than human because of his race. His actions are driven by fear and desperation, and his inability to escape his circumstances leads to his downfall.

The novel’s three-part structure – “Fear,” “Flight,” and “Fate” – mirrors Bigger’s emotional journey. In “Fear,” Bigger is introduced as a young man trapped by his circumstances, living in constant fear of the white world that surrounds him. In “Flight,” Bigger attempts to escape his circumstances after accidentally killing Mary Dalton, but his efforts are thwarted by the systemic racism that pervades every aspect of his life. In “Fate,” Bigger is finally caught and put on trial, where he is dehumanized and vilified by the white-dominated legal system.

Wright uses Bigger’s story to critique the systemic racism and economic inequality that pervaded American society in the 1930s. The novel is a powerful indictment of these systems, highlighting the ways in which they dehumanize and marginalize African-Americans.

About the Author

Richard Wright was an African-American author of novels, short stories, and non-fiction. He was born in 1908 in Roxie, Mississippi, and his experiences growing up in the Jim Crow South heavily influenced his writing. Wright moved to Chicago in 1927, where he became involved in the Communist Party and began writing.

Wright’s first major work, “Native Son,” was published in 1940 and was an immediate bestseller. The novel was groundbreaking in its raw and unflinching portrayal of the realities of life for African-Americans in the 1930s. Wright went on to write several other influential works, including “Black Boy,” “The Outsider,” and “American Hunger.”

Wright’s work is known for its powerful critique of systemic racism and its exploration of the effects of oppression on the individual. He is considered one of the most important African-American authors of the 20th century, and his work continues to be widely read and studied today.