Native Son Literary Analysis

In Native Son, by Richard Wright, we see the evolution of a young, poor, and uneducated black man named Bigger Thomas affected by the perils of society. The 1930’s was a time of turbulence for racial relations, the battle with discrimination and oppression for those of color continued. Having grown up in the slums of Chicago during this time, Bigger was already at a tremendous disadvantage. Society created a parasite, fueled by anger and fear, and allowed it grow in Bigger Thomas. One of the turning points of the book begins with Bigger taking an intoxicated Mary into her room, after Mrs. Dalton walks in Bigger becomes afraid of what Mary might say, and he accidentally suffocates her. Later it was more anger and fear that drove him to assault

In book two, Bigger was sitting in the street car his eyes wandering until he saw Black people on the sidewalk. He began referring to white people as a great natural force, “He would dream of making a stand against the white force, but that dream would fade when he looked at other black people near him. Even though black like them, he felt too much difference between him and them to allow for a common binding and a common life” (Page 114). At this moment, Bigger doesn’t believe black people are alike he feels different in comparison. Bigger doesn’t believe that black people could unite and fight for the same cause unless they were threatened with death or feeling the same shame and fear than he has grown accustomed to. When Killmonger was brought in front of King T’Challa and other tribal elders/leaders he makes a similar comment about making a stand against white people when he proclaims, “Y’all are sitting up here comfortable. Must feel good. There’s about two billion people around the world who look like us and their lives are a lot harder. Wakanda has the tools to liberate them all…Didn’t life start right here on this continent” (Black Panther, 2018). In this scene, Killmonger was pushing blame onto the Wacandan leaders for not helping people who look like them. This is the polar opposite to what Bigger believes in. They both believe is starting a revolution of some sort, but their stance on the individuals they want to help is very different. Bigger believes that the oppressed are very different and would only act when forced to and Killmonger believes that they are all the same people, however the oppressed lack the resources to free themselves. This says a lot about the characters as well, both characters experienced oppression in their lives each affecting them differently. Bigger felt shame, fear, and anger from it and Killmonger wanted to continue what his father was