Native+Son+Home

Summary: In the 1930s, Bigger Thomas, a poor black man, was forced to provide for his family and himself. Bigger was constantly being pressured by his family, friends, and society. However, Biggers’ struggle to fit in would only cause trouble. His mother was constantly reminding Bigger that he needed a job to take care of his family. Bigger wanted to obey his mother’s wishes, but along the way he was presented several obstacles. In the search for money, Bigger was introduced to a job with his landlord, Mr. Dalton. Mr. Dalton, a wealthy white man, offered Bigger a job as his chauffeur. Bigger accepted the position. Bigger was on the right path until he met up with his fellow gang members later that evening. Bigger and his gang decided that they were going to rob a white man’s business. It was not normal for Bigger and his gang to rob whites. Usually the group would steal from blacks, but today was different. Although Bigger put on a tough front, he was genuine and emotional person. To avoid the robbery, Bigger proceeded to violently assault one of his best friends, and fellow gang members. Bigger had become violent that day, but that was the least of his problems, soon the pressures of society would push him even further over the edge. The first day on the job Bigger met Mr. Dalton’s wife and daughter. Bigger discovers that Mrs. Dalton is blind and Mary, the daughter, is a communist. Bigger was instructed to drive Mary to see her boyfriend. Later on all three young people went to the bar and drank. Bigger, Mary, and Mary’s boyfriend were all drunk. It was late so Bigger drove the couple home. While arriving at the Dalton’s estate, Bigger and Mary went up to Mary’s room where they began to kiss. They engaged in promiscuous activities, and then disaster struck. Mrs. Dalton had walked in the room. In the 1930s a white female and a black male having relations was frowned upon and considered rape. Although Bigger did not rape Mary, he had to make sure Mrs. Dalton did not find out. Knowing that Mrs. Dalton was blind, Bigger held a pillow over Mary’s face until Mrs. Dalton left the room. However, Mary ended up dying because of being smothered. To discard the evidence, Bigger threw Mary’s body in the fireplace. Although Bigger knew what he did was wrong, he felt a sense of power. He tried to blame the crime on Jan, Mary’s boyfriend. Bigger then informs his girlfriend Bessie of the crime. Bigger pressured her to help him, but when she refused, he raped her. While Bessie was sleeping, Bigger killed her by hitting her with bricks. Bigger can’t hide forever. The police were on to Bigger and eventually took him into custody after a dangerous shoot out. While in jail, Jan visits Bigger. Jan understands what society had done to Bigger. Jan is convinced that if society hadn’t been the way it was, so scrutinizing and harsh, that Bigger wouldn’t have killed those women. As a result, Jan provided Bigger with a lawyer named Mr. Max. Mr. Max also agreed with the fact that the racism and prejudice in society was only causing an increase in issues, and Max was ready to fight for Bigger. Because Bigger was black, he was automatically assumed guilty for the crimes and was on trial to determine his future. court decided that if Bigger was guilty, he would be sentenced the death penalty. Max does everything in his power to avoid the death sentence for Bigger. Max argues that Bigger is a kind man, but he is a result of racism. Society had made Bigger this way, and the prejudice and inequality needs to come to an end before the cycle continues. Will the jury agree with Max, or will they also be suffocated by the pressures of society to determine Biggers guilt? Will Bigger be able to return home and provided for his family, or would he be thrown into a pile of other socially murdered blacks? Will Bigger and all blacks receive justice, or will society be permitted to continue murdering? Who is society’s next victim?  By: Sara, Vivian, Nashaya, Bre and Rebecca
 * Native Son ** Richard Wright