Native Son Book Summary, Analysis and Characters, Richard Wright

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What is the summary of the book Native Son written by Richard Wright? Information about the summary, characters, analysis of Native Son.

native son

Native Son

“Native Son” is a novel written by Richard Wright and published in 1940. It tells the story of a young Black man named Bigger Thomas who lives in poverty on the South Side of Chicago and becomes involved in a series of crimes that ultimately lead to his capture and execution.

The novel explores themes of racism, poverty, violence, and the struggle for identity and agency in a society that seeks to deny these to Black people.

Bigger Thomas is portrayed as a complex character whose actions are shaped by the social conditions in which he lives. He is trapped in a cycle of poverty and violence, and he feels powerless to escape his circumstances. When he is offered a job as a driver for a wealthy white family, he sees it as an opportunity to improve his life, but his feelings of resentment and anger toward white people ultimately lead to his downfall.

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The novel also depicts the racism and oppression that Bigger and other Black characters face on a daily basis. The white characters in the novel are shown to be blind to the realities of Black life, and their actions and attitudes reinforce the systemic racism that pervades American society.

“Native Son” is considered a groundbreaking work of African American literature and a powerful critique of the racial injustices of American society. It is also notable for its psychological depth and its exploration of the complex motivations and experiences of its protagonist. The novel has been widely studied and debated by scholars and critics, and it remains a powerful and relevant work today.

Book Summary

“Native Son” tells the story of Bigger Thomas, a young Black man living in poverty on the South Side of Chicago in the 1930s. Bigger is employed as a driver for a wealthy white family, the Daltons, but he feels resentful and powerless in the face of the systemic racism and poverty that surrounds him.

The novel opens with Bigger’s family living in a one-room apartment in a rundown tenement building. Bigger’s mother urges him to take the job with the Daltons, hoping that it will provide a way out of poverty for the family. However, Bigger is reluctant to take the job and feels uncomfortable in the presence of the white family.

One night, Bigger takes Mary Dalton, the daughter of his employer, out on the town with a group of his friends. They drink heavily and end up back at Mary’s apartment, where Bigger accidentally suffocates her in a fit of panic. He then disposes of her body in the furnace of the building, hoping to cover up the crime.

Bigger is consumed with fear and guilt and tries to cover his tracks, but he is eventually caught and charged with murder. The novel then follows his trial and eventual execution.

Throughout the novel, Bigger struggles with his identity and agency as a Black man in a society that denies him both. He feels trapped by his poverty and the racism that surrounds him, and he often acts out of fear and anger.

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The white characters in the novel are shown to be blind to the realities of Black life, and their actions and attitudes reinforce the systemic racism that pervades American society. The Daltons, for example, are portrayed as liberal and well-meaning, but ultimately oblivious to the ways in which their privilege and power perpetuate racial inequality.

The novel is notable for its exploration of the psychological and emotional experiences of its protagonist, and for its powerful critique of the racial injustices of American society. It has been widely studied and debated by scholars and critics, and it remains a powerful and relevant work today.

Characters

  • Bigger Thomas – The protagonist of the novel, a young Black man living in poverty on the South Side of Chicago. Bigger feels trapped by his circumstances and struggles to find agency and identity in a society that denies him both. He is eventually charged with murder and executed.
  • Mary Dalton – The daughter of Bigger’s employer, a wealthy white family. Mary is well-meaning but often naive about the realities of Black life.
  • Mr. Dalton – Mary’s father and Bigger’s employer. Mr. Dalton is a wealthy businessman who sees himself as a progressive and generous employer, but he is ultimately blind to the ways in which his privilege and power perpetuate racial inequality.
  • Mrs. Dalton – Mary’s mother, who is blind and dependent on Bigger for assistance. Mrs. Dalton is kind to Bigger but ultimately reinforces the racial hierarchy of American society.
  • Jan Erlone – A communist sympathizer who befriends Bigger and tries to help him escape from the police after Mary’s death.
  • Boris A. Max – A Jewish attorney who represents Bigger in his trial. Max is committed to justice for his client, but he is ultimately unable to save him from execution.
  • Bessie Mears – Bigger’s girlfriend, a sex worker who is dependent on him for money. Bessie is often treated poorly by Bigger, and their relationship is fraught with tension and violence.
  • Gus, G. H., and Jack – Bigger’s friends, who are also involved in a life of poverty and crime.
  • Buckley – The prosecuting attorney in Bigger’s trial. Buckley is shown to be prejudiced against Black people and is committed to securing a conviction.
  • Mr. Britten – A private investigator hired by the Daltons to investigate Mary’s disappearance. Mr. Britten is shown to be corrupt and racist, and he ultimately helps to frame Bigger for the crime.

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