Mary Bigger Thesis
The death of Mary symbolizes a tragic consequence of the white world’s attempt to oppress another race. Mary uses the same language as Peggy to describe black
Americans. When talking to Bigger, she uses the phrase “your people.” She refers to black Americans as “they” and ‘them,” implying that blacks constitute a separate, essentially different class of human bings. Her phrase “our country” indicates that she views America as a nation dominated by white people. When Mary exclaims, “They’re human,” she implies that a psychological division exists between white and black
Americans.
After Mary’s death, Bigger finds that the rebellion is liberating. This is a false sense of liberation because the murder only incurs more anger and
prejudiced feelings among the white society. In retaliation, the white society is condemning more blacks by firing, beating, and constricting all aspects of theirs lives even more. In addition, the police are hunting Bigger down as if he is some kind of vermin, while public officials and newspapers insult Bigger and his race as “ape-like… and trouble making n—“ (324).
This is a vicious cycle of how the oppressed will rebel against his oppressor and how the oppressor will retaliate with a stronger blow.
Americans. When talking to Bigger, she uses the phrase “your people.” She refers to black Americans as “they” and ‘them,” implying that blacks constitute a separate, essentially different class of human bings. Her phrase “our country” indicates that she views America as a nation dominated by white people. When Mary exclaims, “They’re human,” she implies that a psychological division exists between white and black
Americans.
After Mary’s death, Bigger finds that the rebellion is liberating. This is a false sense of liberation because the murder only incurs more anger and
prejudiced feelings among the white society. In retaliation, the white society is condemning more blacks by firing, beating, and constricting all aspects of theirs lives even more. In addition, the police are hunting Bigger down as if he is some kind of vermin, while public officials and newspapers insult Bigger and his race as “ape-like… and trouble making n—“ (324).
This is a vicious cycle of how the oppressed will rebel against his oppressor and how the oppressor will retaliate with a stronger blow.