Characters
This character is the protagonist of the novel, a young African American man living in poverty in Chicago.
Who is Bigger Thomas?
This theme explores the impact of societal expectations and racial prejudice on the lives of African Americans in 1930s Chicago.
What is the theme of racial prejudice and societal expectations?
This event sets off a chain reaction of consequences for Bigger and his family.
What is the accidental killing of Mary Dalton?
This narrative technique, employed by Wright, provides insight into Bigger's inner thoughts and motivations.
What is stream-of-consciousness?
This movement, characterized by its focus on the experiences of African Americans and their struggles against racism and oppression, heavily influenced Richard Wright's writing.
What is the Harlem Renaissance?
This character is Bigger's friend who gets him involved in a robbery that leads to tragedy.
Who is Jack?
This theme delves into the psychology of fear and the consequences of violence.
What is the theme of fear and violence?
This is the name of the wealthy white family that employs Bigger as a chauffeur.
What is the Dalton family?
This literary device is used to emphasize the oppressive atmosphere of Chicago's South Side.
What is imagery?
This real-life event, which occurred in 1930s Chicago and involved the wrongful conviction of nine young African American men, served as inspiration for elements of "Native Son."
What is the Scottsboro Boys case?
This character is the wealthy white family's daughter who Bigger accidentally kills.
Who is Mary Dalton?
This theme examines the struggle for identity and agency in a society dominated by racism and oppression.
What is the theme of identity and agency?
This is the name of the district attorney who prosecutes Bigger during his trial
What is Buckley, the state's attorney?
This aspect of the novel's structure contributes to the overall theme of systemic racism and oppression.
What is the novel's tripartite structure (fear, flight, and fate)?
This term refers to the economic and social conditions faced by African Americans in the early 20th century, including widespread poverty and discrimination.
What is the Great Depression?
This character is Bigger's mother, who struggles to provide for her family.
Who is Mrs. Thomas (Hannah)?
This theme explores the complexities of guilt, responsibility, and justice.
What is the theme of guilt, responsibility, and justice?
This is the final, tragic fate of Bigger Thomas.
What is Bigger's execution?
This recurring motif symbolizes the suffocating constraints placed on Bigger and other African Americans in society.
What is the motif of darkness or blindness?
This influential African American leader and writer, known for his advocacy of Black nationalism and self-reliance, was a contemporary of Richard Wright.
Who is Marcus Garvey?
This character is the lawyer who defends Bigger during his trial.
Who is Boris Max?
This theme interrogates the American Dream and its limitations for marginalized communities.
What is the theme of the American Dream and its limitations?
This event serves as the climax of the novel, leading to Bigger's arrest and trial.
What is Bigger's arrest and trial?
This narrative element highlights the complexities of Bigger's character and the moral ambiguity of his actions.
What is the complexity of Bigger's character and the narrative's exploration of moral ambiguity?
This cultural movement, which emerged in the 1920s and celebrated African American culture, music, and literature, provided a backdrop for the themes explored in "Native Son."
What is the Harlem Renaissance?