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How Does Richard Wright Present The Theme Of Deception

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Essay Prompt #1 In Richard Wright’s, Native Son, Wright highlights and shows the main characters' motives for deception throughout the novel. The novel itself is divided into three books: Fear, Flight, and Fate. Deception is a very transparent technique in the first book, “Fear,” and the second book, “Flight” that Wright utilizes to help illustrate the story. Bigger Thomas, the main character, is an African American in the early 20th century navigating a difficult life. Dealing with racial discrimination, backlash from his family, and being involved in crimes, in part due to the gang he is in. One of the most evident techniques of deception shown throughout the novel corresponds to the crimes Bigger personally partakes in. The pressure, choices, …show more content…

Also in the second book, “Flight,” more people are finding out that Mary is missing. People are concerned and even a private investigator is hired by Mr. Dalton to help find her. This scares Bigger because he might not be able to maintain the act he has had for much longer. Because of this, when he is questioned by Britten, the private investigator, and Mr. Dalton, he frames Jan. Bigger does this out of fear. Bigger continues his framing when he is writing a letter to Mr. Dalton asking for ten-thousand dollars and instructions on how to deliver the money in exchange for the information that Jan has something to do with the disappearance of Mary. Bigger writes “Get ten thousand in 5 and 10 bills and put it in a shoe box.” (177) At the end of the letter Bigger signs it off as “Red.” (177) It is important to note that Jan is a communist. So with Bigger signing the letter off in this way, the Daltons will believe that Jan is responsible for what happened to Mary. Framing is another example of deception. Bigger is framing Jan, which deceives other significant characters in the book such as Mr. Dalton and Britten. Framing is another action by Bigger that comes from

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