Native Son: Analysis of Major Characters
"Native Son" is a powerful novel that delves into the complex lives of its characters, particularly focusing on Bigger Thomas, a young African American man grappling with poverty and racial discrimination in 1930s Chicago. Bigger's intense frustration leads him to a tragic encounter with Mary Dalton, the daughter of his employer, which culminates in a series of desperate actions that highlight the themes of fear and societal oppression. Throughout the narrative, Bigger not only struggles with his own internal conflicts but also interacts with key characters such as Mr. Dalton, a wealthy white businessman, and Jan Erlone, Mary's boyfriend, who both represent contrasting perspectives on race relations and social justice.
The character of Bessie Mears, Bigger's mistress, serves to further illustrate his tumultuous emotional state, ultimately leading to tragic consequences. Boris A. Max, Bigger's lawyer, attempts to contextualize Bigger's actions within the broader framework of societal issues, though his efforts fail to prevent a grim outcome. The story also features figures like Britten, a detective, and Buckley, the prosecuting attorney, whose roles underscore the systemic racism and fear that permeate the legal system. "Native Son" challenges readers to consider the impact of social structures on individual choices and the pervasive nature of fear that influences both victims and perpetrators.
Native Son: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Richard Wright
First published: 1940
Genre: Novel
Locale: An American city
Plot: Social realism
Time: The 1930's
Bigger Thomas, a young African American, frustrated by poverty and race prejudice, who has a pathological hatred of white people. He is reluctantly drawn into alliance with his employer's daughter Mary and her sweetheart, who are crusading with the communists to help blacks. After an evening of drinking, Bigger carries the drunken Mary to her room. To prevent her from making a sound that will alarm her blind mother, he puts a pillow over her face and accidentally smothers her. This act releases all of his pent-up emotions. He burns the body in the furnace, tries to get ransom money from his employer, and tries to frame the dead girl's sweetheart. He confesses to his mistress, and after the discovery of the remains, he hides out with her. He fears that she will be found and questioned, however, and so he kills her. The police catch him, and under steady questioning by the prosecuting attorney, he admits his crime. Despite an eloquent plea by his attorney outlining the social structure that made him what he is, Bigger is sentenced to die. While awaiting death, he gets, from talking to his attorney, an understanding that his persecutors are themselves filled with fear and are not responsible for their social crimes.
Mr. Dalton, a wealthy white man for whom Bigger works as a chauffeur.
Mrs. Dalton, his blind wife.
Mary Dalton, their daughter, crusading with the communists against racial discrimination. Bigger accidentally smothers her.
Jan Erlone, Mary's sweetheart and fellow crusader. Bigger succeeds so well in throwing suspicion on him for Mary's disappearance that Jan is arrested. After Bigger is arrested, Jan comes to see him and promises help. Jan introduces to Bigger a lawyer from the communist-front organization for which Jan works.
Boris A. Max, Bigger's lawyer, provided by a communist-front organization. He argues that society is to blame for Bigger's crime, but he does not succeed in saving Bigger from death. He is able to show Bigger that his enemies are also driven by fear and must be forgiven.
Bessie Mears, Bigger's mistress, to whom he confides his guilt and whom he kills.
Britten, a detective hired by Dalton to investigate Mary's disappearance.
Buckley, the prosecuting attorney, under whose questioning Bigger breaks down and signs a confession. He makes full use of anticommunist feeling and race prejudice in prosecuting Bigger.