native son :: essays research papers

Native Son by Richard Wright is a novel written about a black boy trying to grow up in a white man's world. Bigger, the main character is growing up in a typical black neighborhood. He is the only man of the house so he must help his mother support them. In this novel it is important to understand that Bigger is prone to violence. In every tough situation he gets stuck in he refers to a violent action. This can be seen by the way he treats his friends and family. Richard Nathaniel Wright was born on September 4, 1908 on a Mississippi plantation. During Wright's childhood he was often hungry. This allowed Wright to write passionately and eloquently about the meaning of suffering in the lives of oppressed and exploited people because that suffering was an integral part of his own life. The Communist Party had been the only one to take a deep interest in Wright's life and had at one time offered to teach him to write. Richard Wright died on November 28, 1960, at the age of 52 in Paris. I feel that Max had the most influence on Bigger. Max helped Bigger realize what he had done wrong and how that not all white people were out to get the black man. At times Bigger felt that Max was only trying to hurt him but I think that deep down inside, Bigger knew Max was only there to help him. Max looked out for Bigger's best wishes. Max knew that if Bigger had testified the lawyers would have pounded him with questions and made him seem more guilty that he already was. I also think that it showed Bigger that Max cared about him and showed Bigger that he was going to help him though the trial. Max showed not only the court, but the nation as a whole, that there is no way that Bigger can receive a fair trial. Bigger and Max both know this. I also think that Bigger knows he is going to die Max is the only one trying to help him. Max is trying to do the impossible. That is make a black man innocent in a white man's court. Max not only had a major influence on Bigger, but he was one of the only people that cared about him and did not judge him by the color of his skin.