Bigger Thomas Struggle For Freedom

Albert Camus, a French-Algerian philosopher, stated “Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better.” Being free from external control and allowed to choose his or her own destiny, one may venture in pursuit of personal perfection, allowing oneself to become better. In the American novel Native Son by Richard Wright, Bigger Thomas finds himself struggling in an age of segregation, being confined and alienated from the white world. Bigger is constantly working his way towards freedom, and only comes close to finding himself free upon murdering a young white woman. As Maya Angelou stated in the poem Alone “nobody, but nobody can make it out here alone,” Bigger Thomas finds himself struggling alone without the support of others. In the pursuit of freedom, Bigger finds himself struggling to make his life better and struggles against his alienation and oppression.
Bigger first moves toward freedom when he starts his new job as chauffeur for the Dalton household. Bigger finds himself working for $25 a week after Mr. Dalton increased his salary for him to spend on himself. In addition to his salary, Bigger is given his own room; a drastic change of pace from his one room apartment he shared with his mother and two siblings. Bigger’s mother has always taken care of him and encouraged
him to seek out new employment, however Bigger never saw this as freedom, being as it was not on his own accord. Mrs. Dalton and Bigger’s mother have similar interests, in that they both attempt to look after him and want him to get an education. Bigger dropped out of school at eighth grade, and never achieved any higher education. Bigger was never given the freedom to pursue schooling and thus never given an oppurtunity to make himself better. and When Bigger and Gus see a plane writing an advertisement, Bigger remarks that he could fly a plane if he wanted to, to which Gus’ reply is “if you wasn’t black and if you had some money and they’d let you go to an aviation school, you could fly a plane.” Epitomizing the recurring theme of oppression and the effect thereof on the oppressor and oppressed, Gus explains that Bigger was never granted the freedom to attend any formal schooling, and thus was never presented with a chance to better himself.
Biggers life revolves mainly on the segregation of 1940’s America. Bigger and his family, in addition to other back families of the time were crowded into a small area of the city realtors came to refer to as “The Black Belt” or the Southside of Chicago. Ironically, Mr. Dalton is the proprietor of the building in which Bigger and his family live. During Bigger’s Grand Jury trial, Mr. Dalton admits that he, like many other realtors rent homes to black persons only in this area of the city and charge them more for the same size and quality home not in the black belt. Maya Angelou writes of isolation and the impact it has on individuals and society. Angelou writes “There are some millionaires with money they can’t use; Their wives run round like banshees; Their children sing the blues...” Angelou writes how many who claim to be social and moral often hide behind their wealth. The Dalton family is an example of such millionaires. The Dalton family has acquired considerable wealth from Mr. Dalton’s real estate and investing business. Mary Dalton shows how she and her family are isolated through her rebellious outings and illegitimate relationship with Jan. The Dalton family remains isolated from the black community physically and socially.
Richard Wright uses the constant snow and blizzard conditions to symbolize how Bigger never sees white people as individuals, he only sees them as a naturally oppressing force, constantly consuming him. In accordance with the lifestyle Bigger was raised in, the only lifestyle he ever knew, Bigger developed a psychological malaise and did not believe there was any chance for him to ever improve his life. Furthermore, this lifestyle contributed to Biggers morality. Prior to working at the Dalton estate, Bigger made all of his money from petty crimes. Although Bigger felt conflicted and apprehensive in the hours leading up to his first crime against a white man, Bigger did not regard his crimes as violent acts. Bigger partook in these crimes, which included robbing small stores owned by other black individuals to support his struggling family. As seen in the opening scene of the novel, Bigger often felt powerless when it came to helping his family. Physically, Bigger did not want to and was unable to maintain a steady source of income. Moreover, Bigger felt powerless to help his family as he knew there was nothing he could do to mitigate the situation of oppression and segregation his family was in.
Bigger’s challenges are often compounded by his isolation and alienation from his family, society and the white population.
Angelou writes “The race of man is suffering and I can hear the moan.” Bigger comes to realize after being incarcerated that his crime has stretched far beyond himself and is affecting an entire population. When Bigger is hiding in an apartment building, he overhears two men discussing his crimes. One of the men state that they should stand up for Bigger and show support for their race. The other man replies that it is too dangerous to stand against the white man and Bigger. This deepens Biggers isolation when he realizes that even his own community no longer supports
him.
Maya Angelou discusses the concept of finding oneself and making realizing one’s place in society. Angelou writes “Lying, thinking last night; How to find my soul a home; Where water is not thirsty and bread loaf is not stone.” Angelou states that she is attempting to find herself in a world which appear to be free of any natural order. Bigger consistently struggles to find his way in the world and often faces the struggles of loneliness and isolation. As Bigger is facing death, he contemplates his life and ventures. Biggers emotions erupt as he expels all of his opinions and concerns to Max, fueling his desire to live. It is at this time that Bigger finds himself most alone. Isolated physically by the confines of jail and emotionally from all of those he loved or depended on, Bigger truly comes to grips with Max’s powerful remark, “Men die alone, Bigger.” When Bigger is first brought into jail, his life is revolving around the suicidal thoughts ravaging his mind. Bigger knows that when he is brought to the chair, he will lifelessly be dragged there. Bigger soon realizes however, that when he is in the chair awaiting the guards to flip the switch, that his mind will be empty and alone. Bigger comes to reflect on his life and realizes he has lost all chance of freedom; he realizes that now, as he is facing death, that he has no opportunity left to better himself and his life. Bigger is finally stripped of any freedom he had once clinged to as he awaits death alone in his cell.
Albert Camus stated “Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better.” Bigger Thomas constantly struggles between the varying levels of freedom he is given and is accustomed to.