This character is an antihero, a protagonist who doesn't fit the role of an archetypal hero, yet has heroic qualities. For instance, he must overcome obstacles of racism/stereotyping and must survive in a fruitless environment.
Who is Bigger Thomas?
100
As Bigger and Gus gaze up at this object in Book 1, they realize how many rich opportunities white Americans have while African Americans are deprived of success. To us, this symbolizes Bigger's desire to leave his current situation.
What is an airplane?
100
Bigger murders these two women.
Who are Bessie and Mary?
100
"And their songs- the spirituals! Aren't they marvelous? Say, Bigger, can you sing?"
Who is Mary?
100
Bigger feels this sensation after killing Mary, as this is his first moment of active rebellion against white American society.
What is power/liberation?
200
This sinister detective is equally obsessed with finding communists and locking up bloodthirsty murderers. Bigger is one of the detective's prime suspects due to his race.
Who is Britten?
200
This female character symbolizes the fear that African Americans feel, according to Wright, due to living in the cruel environment of American society.
Who is Vera?
200
These two communists pride themselves on being progressive lovers of African American culture, but only succeed in stereotyping Bigger at dinner.
Who are Jan and Mary?
200
"They have so much emotion! What a people! If we could get them going..."
Who is Mary?
200
To frame Jan, Bigger writes this, asking for 10,000 dollars in exchange for Mary. He signs it with the word "Red" and leaves it for the Daltons to find.
What is a ransom note?
300
This female character gives Bigger the idea to extract money from the Daltons in exchange for Mary's whereabouts. She recalls a true court case involving Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, who kidnapped and murdered a boy in exchange for ransom.
Who is Bessie?
300
This character's lack of sight symbolizes the blindness of white society towards racism and its effects.
Who is Mrs. Dalton?
300
Bigger draws these two objects on a note to the Daltons asking for money, insinuating that Jan, a communist, is Mary's kidnapper.
What are a hammer and sickle?
300
"You like fried chicken?"
Who is Jan?
300
When Bigger refuses to clear the ashes out of the furnace for Peggy, this substance fills the room. In response, a reporter shovels out the ashes and reveals Mary's remnants.
What is smoke?
400
Bigger threatens this male character with a gun after he confronts Bigger to ask about his role in Mary's disappearance.
Who is Jan?
400
Mr. Dalton, in an attempt to be charitable, donates these objects to a local organization for African-American teenagers. Though he wishes to help the less fortunate, his actions only advertise his opulent lifestyle.
What are ping-pong tables?
400
This term coined by W.E.B. DuBois is used to describe the "two-ness" of African-American identity, or the struggle between one's "African" self and white "American" self.
What is Double Consciousness?
400
This character says, "Well, you see 'em one way and I see 'em another," explaining to Dalton that Bigger is not as innocent as he looks.
Who is Britten?
400
In flight, Bigger jumps out of his window to escape the reporters. As he hits the ground, this substance fills his
What is snow?
500
This Irish immigrant believes that Bigger is not capable of committing murder because he isn't wily enough to devise such a treacherous plot.
Who is Peggy?
500
This white form of precipitation symbolizes the power of white society, shown by how it hinders Bigger's efforts to elude the police.
What is snow?
500
This Christian mother and young son accept their subservient positions in society. He aspires to be a chauffeur like Bigger while she focuses on survival in the ghetto.
Who are Mrs. Thomas and Buddy?
500
"When he talks, does he wave his hands around a lot, like he's been around a lot of Jews?"
Who is Britten?
500
Before the police capture Bigger, he realizes that he must kill Bessie. She cannot accompany him because she would slow him down with fear and her dependence on this substance.