Native Son Violence

Richard Wright 's "Native Son" is a social protest novel reflecting his absolute horror at the condition of the relations between the black and white societies in America. Wright emphasizes that the rage felt by all black Americans is the direct result of white racism. Bigger Thomas is a product of this society, and is driven to hostile actions as a result of his rage. The central theme of this novel is one of violence. The three components developing this theme are elements of setting, imagery, and symbolism.

One important element in developing Wright 's theme of violence is the setting. This novel takes place in Chicago, where there is a vast difference between the lives of the black and the white society. Robert Bone emphasizes that we
The way in which Bigger murders Mary and disposes of her body is a very gruesomely depicted image. When her blind mother enters her bedroom, Bigger unintentionally murders Mary by smothering her in order to keep her quiet (86). Bigger 's violence is emphasized when he mutilates her body and places her in the furnace (91). Kowalowski agrees by suggesting that the motivations for his deeds barely seem important when "he begins to saw and hack through the neck of Mary 's corpse" (48). When Bigger attempts to put Mary 's body into the furnace, she does not fit and he is forced to cut off her head (91). Bryant explains that no one can feel or understand "the fear, the frenzy, [and] the frustration" of Bigger Thomas. The image of Mary 's murder is a very violent and disturbing image. Therefore, the imagery in Native Son plays an essential role in creating the violent
Kent mentions that blindness is shared by both whites and African Americans (34). Mary looks at Bigger with "dark sockets" as he carries her up to her room (81). Butler theorizes that Mary is "blind to the powerful emotional forces she is releasing in Bigger" (43). Joyce believes the Daltons are "blind to his humanity", therefore he can use this flaw to influence their thoughts (885). Mary 's parents find out that she is missing, and they believe she has run away with her communist boyfriend (153). The Daltons do not think that Bigger is capable of murdering their daughter in their own home. Therefore, blindness is one of the major symbols contributing to the violent themeIn Native Son, Bigger Thomas finds a sense of purpose through his violent acts. By killing Mary, he is striking out at the nation which created him. Bigger is a representative of all blacks in America who feel aggression toward the white society. The theme of Native Son is one of violence. The theme is proven through components of setting, imagery, and symbolism. In this work, Richard Wright makes known to America the racial injustices and social inequalities of its society.

Works CitedBone, Robert. "Richard Wright." American Writers: A Collection of Literary Biographies. Ed. Leonard Unger. Vol. 4. New York: Scribner 's, 1974.