Prejudice And Racism In Richard Wright's Native Son

Discrimination Richard Wright lived through the period when blacks and whites were separated by an indestructible line; he wrote Native Son as a canvas to express his opinion on the rising problem of racial differences. Although freed from slavery, blacks were limited and trapped in the world of impossibility and desperation. There were little opportunities for colored people to improve or even choose how to live their lives. The book is focused on racism and since it pointed out the hot topic so offensively, but spectacularly, racism was thought to be the only message that Wright wanted to convey. However, if observed carefully, the reoccurrences of sexism that intertwined within the story became visible and obvious. Wright portrayed male
characters as dominant and superior, while females are silent due to their inferior status. Although Native Son is traditionally thought of as a representative novel of racism, it also explores sexism and the effects such suppression has on its victims.
In the novel, Wright portrayed sexism by giving supremacy to male characters. The males held the power to make a difference, to give influence, or to make an impact in the society. During the tragic murder of Mary Dalton, only men; the police, Britten and news reporters, contributed to the case. This group of men has the authority to control any matters associating with the murder. Britten, being in the group, has the power to put anyone under suspicion. Mr. Dalton hires him with hope and faith that he could uncover the face of the cold-blooded murderer. The Daltons trust in Britten’s ability and rely on him. When Mr. Dalton finds the ransom note, he calls Britten and begs him to ‘come right over’ (Wright 178). However, society relies on him and gives him the privilege of being responsible for a murder case only because he is a man. Moreover, the news reporters, a group of all males, have the ability to make everyone believe what they want. They have the power to control and command how people feel or see
things without doubt or hesitation because media is believed to be a reliable source. The report in the newspaper turns suspicion entirely to Bigger, suspecting that he rapes and kills Mary. “Reporters find Dalton girl’s bones in the furnace. Negro chauffeur disappears. Five thousand police surround black belt. Authorities hint sex crime. Communist leader proves alibi. Girl’s mother in collapse” (Wright 228). Even though Bigger has no intention of ending Mary’s life, because of the media, people truly believe that he is a vicious rapist and murderer. The privileges and respect that Britten and the news reporters gain is actually a consequence of sexism. The society believed and accepted the concept of men being superior in all aspects. While this belief gave men the influence in the society, women were in the speechless position. Wright presented this issue by giving all the important roles that associate with politics and authorities to male characters as a satirical response to the immoral belief.
Not only do males have the superiority in the society and politics, but they also hold the superior position in personal relationships with the females they interfere with.
All the decisions and actions of a couple are singly handled by the male. This was exactly how the relationship of Bigger and Bessie is structured. He is clearly dominant, ordering Bessie as he desires, while she has no choice but to obey his instructions. He would use short and abrupt commands like “Shut up now! Come on” (Wright 216) or “Let me in! Open the door!” (Wright 166). If she attempts to refuse to fulfill his requests, he would repeat his order or threaten her until she gives
in.
“Bigger, naw!” He caught her arm and squeezed it in a grip of fear and hate. “You ain’t going to turn away from me now! Not now, goddamn you!” “I ain’t doing this!” “Like hell you ain’t!” (Wright 165)
He is not really attentive; it is not a give and take relationship. Bigger takes advantage of Bessie, only seeing her importance when he is in trouble. When Marry is murdered, Bigger forces Bessie to run away with him as he “ain’t leaving her here to snitch on him” (Wright 170). Having Bessie with him meant he is assured that he will not be ratted out. However, for a guiltless person like Bessie, it is like putting her future to a dead end. As he becomes increasingly insecure, he doesn’t trust anyone else but himself. Therefore, he decides to end Bessie’s life to keep the situation under his control. Bigger feels the need of having Bessie under his control because he has no power in the society. However, paranoia is not the only reason Bigger winds up murdering both Bessie and Mary. The cause for his action is his fear of women. He is terrified of what they say, do or feel that might reflect his innate weakness. When Bessie and Mary say something that reminds Bigger that he is actually scared and blind, he silences them.
As a consequence of sexism, women are unwillingly silent and treated poorly. As all men truly believed that they are superior, they thought of women as a lower living class, therefore treating them poorly. Bigger, as one of them, behaves toward his mother disrespectfully, triggering conflicts and unhappiness within his family. He is always sarcastic and rude to his mom, making her exhausted and wants to “lay down and quit” (Wright 13). Instead of being responsible as an oldest male in the family, Bigger brings endless trouble, worrying his mother that “the gallows will be the end of the road” for her son (Wright 13). Bigger’s rudeness is a small act of rebellion that he couldn’t perform in White’s world.
Similar to Bigger and Bessie, Mr. Dalton is the leader of his couple. He talks and responds for Mrs. Dalton. In a way, Mr. Dalton is lives two lives, representing both himself and his wife while she lives in the shadows silently. Inside of the house, she discusses and makes opinions. However, in the outside world, she becomes a speechless doll, leaving Mr. Dalton to read her mind and express her opinions. When Mr. Dalton announces about the kidnap letter, although Mrs. Dalton “moved noiselessly down the step” to Mr. Dalton’s side (Wright 189), not a single word slipped out of her mouth. However, Mrs. Dalton was silent, not because she had no thoughts, nor was afraid to express her opinion in front of men, but she was the victim of sexism, forcing her to be silent and powerless. Although Native Son is widely known as a representative novel of racism, it also explores sexism and its effects on the female victims. Women were believed to be weak living creatures, incapable of responsibility or decision making. As men underestimate the ability of women, limiting what they are competent of doing, they also begin to think that it is acceptable to treat women poorly. Women were in the position of silence and insignificance. Although women lack in physical strength, they fill in their weak spot with patience and understanding heart.

Work Citation

Wright, Richard. Native Son. Harper Collins, 1940.