Revision work on “Native Son” Discussing the themes, characters and plot structure - SS2 Literature Lesson Note

Revision work on “Native Son” Discussing the themes, characters and plot structure

Themes

The central theme of Native Son is racism. Richard Wright uses the novel to explore the devastating effects of racism on Black people in the American South. Bigger Thomas is a young Black man who is constantly reminded of his inferiority by the white people he encounters. This makes him feel angry and resentful. He also feels trapped in a system that is stacked against him.

Other important themes in the novel include poverty, oppression, and violence. Bigger's poverty and oppression lead him to commit violence. Wright's novel shows how these problems are interconnected and how they can lead to destructive consequences.

Characters

The major characters in Native Son are:

Bigger Thomas: The protagonist of the novel. Bigger is a young Black man who is struggling to survive in the American South. He is a complex and conflicted character who is both a victim and a perpetrator of violence.
Mary Dalton: The daughter of Bigger's employers. Mary is a kind and naive white woman. Her murder is a major turning point in the novel and forces Bigger to confront his own violence and the reality of racism in the American South.
Jan Erlone: Mary's boyfriend. Jan is a white communist who is trying to help Bigger. He is a complex character who is both sympathetic and condescending towards Bigger.
Max: Bigger's lawyer. Max is a white man who is dedicated to justice. He is a complex character who is both idealistic and cynical.
The minor characters in Native Son also play important roles in the novel. Buddy Thomas, Bigger's brother, represents the good in Bigger's life. Vera Thomas, Bigger's sister, represents the next generation of Black people in the American South. Mr. and Mrs. Dalton, Bigger's employers, represent white privilege and obliviousness. Boris Max, Bigger's lawyer, represents the hope of justice in a racist society.

Plot structure

Native Son is a well-structured novel. The plot begins with Bigger getting a job as a chauffeur for the Dalton family. Bigger is initially excited about the job, but he quickly becomes disillusioned when he realizes that the Daltons treat him like a servant.

One night, Bigger is driving Mary Dalton home from a party. Mary is drunk and begins to flirt with Bigger. Bigger is initially flattered, but he becomes uncomfortable when Mary tries to kiss him. He panics and accidentally strangles her to death.

Bigger hides Mary's body in the basement of the Dalton house. He then returns to his own neighborhood and tries to act normal. However, he is soon consumed by guilt and fear.

Bigger eventually decides to confess to the murder. He is arrested and put on trial. He is found guilty and sentenced to death.

The novel ends with Bigger being executed in the electric chair.

Discussion

Native Son is a powerful and disturbing novel, but it is also a very important one. It is a novel that explores the complex and difficult issues of racism, poverty, oppression, and violence.