Native Son (Masterplots II: African American Literature Series)
At a glance:
- Author: Richard Wright
- First Published: 1940
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Social criticism
- Time of Work: The 1930’s, during the Depression
- Setting: Chicago
- Principal Characters: Bigger Thomas, Mrs. Thomas, Buddy Thomas, Vera Thomas, Bessie Mears, Mr. Dalton, Mrs. Dalton, Mary Dalton, Jan Erlone, Boris Max
- Genres: Long fiction, Social realism
- Subjects: African Americans, Justice, Self-discovery, United States or Americans, Communism or communists, Politics, Racism, Murder or homicide, Midwest, Antiheroes, 1930’s, Poverty or poor people, Capital punishment, Trials, Law or legislation, Fear, Fate or fatalism
- Locales: Chicago, IL
The Novel
Native Son narrates the life and impending death of Bigger Thomas. The novel opens with the jarring sound of an alarm clock. The family’s morning ritual is interrupted by a rat, which Bigger hysterically kills. This act marks the first instance of the fear and rage that pervade the novel.
The planned robbery of Blum’s store also elicits fear and rage. Blum is white, and Bigger and his gang are used to preying on other blacks. He fights with Gus, a member of his gang, and calls the robbery off.
Bigger gets a job as the Daltons’ chauffeur. His...
[The entire page is 3313 words long]
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