Since we began reading Native son, I've been wanting to create a post, so here we go. (:
The action in Native Son starts very quickly; right away we see the violence in Bigger (killing of the rat). However, his violence escalates to fighting with Gus, then to the amazing killing of Mary Dalton. Some would think that he might become more humane because he killed Mary, and he should feel badly for what he did. However, he has become more paranoid; which I believe will lead to something worse, or maybe causing him to become insane. We're only about 100 pages into the novel, but it's intriguing. I love that he became so paranoid that he cut Mary's head and burned it with the rest of her body... IN HER OWN FAMILY FERNACE!
If I had Bigger in front of me, I'd love to question him and see what exactly was running through his mind. I believe he acted solely out of fear. He should have just left her laying in bed so that in the morning her family would think she died from alcohol poisoning. This comes to show how different Bigger is from the rest; he doesn't process the same as others. He let his paranoia get to him.
Let's keep reading to see what happens with Bigger in Flight! I'm so excited.
Now, to comment on Wright's style of writing. He uses dialogue on almost every page, and the way he uses language conveys Bigger's desires and his motivation. Wright wants the readers to see how much of an impact society has on him. Bigger has let society create him as time goes by, and it's come to a point that he's doing some crazy things. The using of colors such as black and white can be tied to society in those days. For example, right after he killed Mary it began to snow, and the color is white. It might be that it's coming to haunt him and to show that the white society is overwhelming for him...
Okay, I'm going to stop "wrighting" and let other people share their ideas.(:
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
What are some passages from the text that reveal Bigger's conflict? Which passages do you feel are especially poignant in regards to what Crystal wrote?
ReplyDeleteHa ha! "Wrighting" clever..
ReplyDeleteOkay so when Bigger chopped Mary's head off, I was thinking "OMG NO, WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING!?"
At the beginning I felt bad for Bigger, but not anymore. I know they say that everyone is a product of your environment and Black people were treated badly back then, but still there were thousands of oppressed,angry, Black people,(just like Bigger) and they weren't running around chopping peoples head's off. Bigger is a insane and violent character and I can't wait to continue reading to see if his violence augments or if he gets caught.
Oh and on pg. 106 There's a quote that says this, "he knew that the girl's death had not been accidental ... His crime seemed natural...There was in him a kind of terrified pride.."
Bigger has no remorse at all. Killing Mary is justified, by the way Mary and Jan treated him that night, making him feel uncomfortable.
The only emotions he's shown so far is fear,excitement, and pride. He has to be struggling deeeeeeeeeeeeep down inside to mask the reality of what he's done.
I agree Jasmine, Bigger has been showing a sense of pride in the way he's been acting over his murder.
ReplyDeleteThat quote is very important in Bigger's emotional&personal development. (I'm sure that's spelled wrong)
Another thing we can tie is the way he's pressuring Bessie into being his accomplice. She's afraid out of her mind but because she loves him it seems that she'll actually follow through with it. However, Bigger's enjoying the fact that she's scared. He's become insane, he's been eaten up by trying to make up lies to cover his murder. Like, when he was listening to the conversation between Mrs. Dalton and the other lady, (I forgot her name atm) he was so paranoid that they knew something about him or knew that he had something to do with it. Everytime he speaks to someone he automatically puts his guard up and begins to think they know SOMETHING about Mary's death. He kind of needs to get over himself...
well wouldn't you be a bit on edge if you had committed murder? moreover a killing a prominent figure in socitey, well the daughter of one anyway. I agree, I would like to question Bigger, I do not have any sympathy for him, though I kind of want to because he is the main character. I like how Wright doesn't exactly let us have sympathy or if we're suppose to it's something we ourselves have to dig for. Have any of you found anything like that yet? what're your thoughts?
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot of ambivalence in the character of Bigger. He feels remorse and the brigantines of his murders torment him; in the otherhand he feels a sense f pride and an adrenaline rush when he realizes the reality of his deeds. I'm sure that although Bigger torn between spectrums, he will eventually transform into a dynamic character. He's changed! No longer does he go through life like a blind fool; he analyzes and some of his values are starting to change. For example: his constant use of "Goddamn" reveals that he doesn't value religion but when he is in hiding from the men in the cellar Wright says "now, that roof was clear! He breathed a silent prayer" (pg. 263). This line, I believe is very significant.
ReplyDeleteI think that all Wright wanted to do was portray what happens when society versus a man, an African American man to be precise. At first I thought here was no hope for Bigger. However, he has recently opened up to his lawyer Max which leads him to feel a "cool breath of peace" (pg 359.)This seems vital to Bigger's progression as a human being because it pertains to his ability to actually express himself. He now feels relaxed, and most people are believed to act rationally when relaxed. I think it can only get better from here.
ReplyDeleteActually, Jasmin, it might take a complete turn. Bigger has been feeling better ever since he's been talking but he still feels that sense of pride because he killed those people.
ReplyDeleteHowever, Wright does portray the "black society" in those times, however there were MANY people that were black and became very successful and moved on from their bad life. Bigger is just an example of those who had no religious values and believed everything was because of race. In page 355 I believe, Bigger is telling Mr. Max that, no matter what, they wouldn't believe him because he was black and they had him anyways.
Over all this story reminds me of another book I've read... An American Tragedy, written in the mid 1920's. It's a bit long to explain and i read it a long time ago for a project in 8th grade so here's just a wiki summary :/
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_American_Tragedy
Both books have a common element... determinism... and killing people out of panic. Basicly I'm refering to his environment. Had Bigger been raised with more money (not necessarily rich, but just better off than he is now), I honsetly dont think he would have done what he did. Additionally had he been born a white man, rich or not, he still wouldn't have commited thoes crimes. In a way the tabloids around his time period were right to assume he was a stereotype-- He was violent and wanted to rape white wemon. Its because he was born into a suck-ish lifestyle and it was expected of anyone of his race.
I know this has alrady been covered many times in class but I'll say it anyways. They pushed him in the direction that has led him to where he is now. It was tradition (which is still kind of true today) for white people to succeed and all other races have to TRULY push and push their way to the top. It's the rare "late blooming flower" that always stands out the most and will produce more of itself. Thoes people break the chain of average and begin a new era for their family of sucess... and pretty flowers :)
Em,
ReplyDeleteGreat analogy.
It's important to point out that although Bigger's fear and anger were representational of many, there are those who succesfully "pushed" their way up/out. I like how Laura commented in class the other day that she didn't think that Bigger was socio-pathic, just anti-social. He is against society. He doesn't know how to channel this anger, though. He is only blindly lashing out.
How about some textual evidence? There are some pretty powerful passages in the book Fate.