Sympathy In Wrights Native Son

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Term Paper Title	Sympathy In Wrights Native Son
# of Words	869
# of Pages (250 words per page double spaced)	3.48

Sympathy In Wright's Native Son

In Native Son, Richard Wright introduces Bigger Thomas, a liar and a
thief.  Wright evokes sympathy for this man despite the fact that he
commits two murders.  Through the reactions of others to his actions and
through his own reactions to what he has done, the author creates
compassion in the reader towards Bigger to help convey the desperate
state of Black Americans in the 1930’s.
     The simplest method Wright uses to produce sympathy is the portrayal of
the hatred and intolerance shown toward Thomas as a black criminal.
This first occurs when Bigger is immediately suspected as being involved
in Mary Dalton’s disappearance.  Mr. Britten suspects that Bigger is
guilty and only ceases his attacks when Bigger casts enough suspicion on
Jan to convince Mr. Dalton.  Britten explains, "To me, a nigger’s a
nigger" (Wright, Richard.  Native Son.  New York: Harper and Row, 1940.
154).  Because of Bigger’s blackness, it is immediately assumed that he
is responsible in some capacity.  This assumption causes the reader to
sympathize with Bigger.  While only a kidnapping or possible murder are
being investigated, once Bigger is fingered as the culprit, the
newspapers say the incident is "possibly a sex crime" (228).  Eleven
pages later, Wright depicts bold black headlines proclaiming a "rapist"
(239) on the loose.  Wright evokes compassion for Bigger, knowing that
he is this time unjustly accused.   The reader is greatly moved when
Chicago’s citizens direct all their racial hatred directly at Bigger.
The shouts "Kill him! Lynch him!  That black sonofabitch!  Kill that
black ape!" (253)  immediately after his capture encourage a concern for
Bigger’s well-being.  Wright intends for the reader to extend this fear
for the safety of Bigger toward the entire black community.  The
reader’s sympathy is further encouraged when the reader remembers that
all this hatred has been spurred by an accident.
     While Bigger Thomas does many evil things, the immorality of his role
in Mary Dalton’s death is questionable.  His hasty decision to put the
pillow over Mary’s face is the climax of a night in which nothing has
gone right for Bigger.   We feel sympathy because Bigger has been forced
into uncomfortable positions all night.  With good intentions, Jan and
Mary place Bigger in situations that make him feel "a cold, dumb, and
inarticulate hate" (68) for them.  Wright hopes the reader will share
Bigger’s uneasiness. ...

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