A Deep Dive into Native Son by Richard Wright: A Comprehensive Guide for Students and Educators

Native Son by Richard Wright is a monumental work in the American literary canon, exploring the deep psychological effects of racism on an African American man in the 1930s. The novel, published in 1940, captures the story of Bigger Thomas, a young Black man living in the poverty-stricken areas of Chicago. Through Bigger’s journey, Wright uncovers themes of systemic racism, poverty, and the psychological effects of societal oppression. This guide is designed to help educators, students, and anyone interested in understanding Native Son to break down its complex themes and historical context.

Whether you’re preparing to study the book in class or simply want to grasp its themes better, this guide offers a structured approach to analyzing and understanding Native Son.

Background to the Book

Richard Wright, born in Mississippi in 1908, grew up in an environment heavily shaped by racial segregation and poverty. These early experiences influenced his work, particularly his writing on racial identity and inequality. Native Son was written at a time when African Americans faced relentless racial prejudice and were often confined to inferior social and economic positions. The book was a bold attempt by Wright to lay bare the psychological trauma and anger that Black individuals, particularly young men like Bigger Thomas, experienced in the face of systemic racism.

Wright’s portrayal of Bigger Thomas was controversial. The novel shocked many readers with its unflinching depiction of racial violence and the alienation of Black individuals in America. Its success helped establish Wright as one of the leading voices in American literature and a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance.

Summary of Native Son

Native Son revolves around 20-year-old Bigger Thomas, a Black man living in the South Side of Chicago. Bigger is poor, disillusioned, and angry, his sense of hopelessness fueled by a society that marginalizes him at every turn. He lives with his family in cramped, rundown conditions and struggles to find work. When Bigger is hired as a chauffeur for the wealthy white Dalton family, it seems like a step toward a better life. However, his uneasy relationship with his employers and the constant pressures of racism lead to an unexpected and tragic chain of events.

One night, after a drinking episode, Bigger accidentally kills Mary Dalton, the daughter of his employers. He attempts to cover up the crime by hiding her body, but his actions set off a deadly spiral of violence and deception. The tragedy that ensues is a reflection of Bigger’s internal conflict between fear, guilt, and anger, as well as the oppressive societal structures that dictate his every move.

The novel culminates in Bigger’s capture, trial, and execution. Through Bigger’s story, Wright critiques the social and racial systems that ultimately shape his fate. Native Son forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about racism, violence, and social injustice.

Key Plot Details

1. Bigger’s Alienation: Wright’s depiction of Bigger is a study of alienation. Bigger feels disconnected from both his Black community and white society, unable to reconcile his identity within the constraints of systemic racism. His anger is rooted in a lack of agency and opportunity, which fuels his increasingly violent reactions.
2. The Tragic Incident: The murder of Mary Dalton is a pivotal moment in the novel. Bigger does not intend to kill her, but his fear and discomfort with his role as a servant to the Dalton family result in a tragic misunderstanding. The killing is a symbolic act, highlighting the extremes to which Bigger feels driven by the oppressive forces around him.
3. Race and Class: Throughout the novel, Wright critiques the intersections of race and class. Bigger’s interactions with the Daltons—who view themselves as benevolent and progressive—expose the contradictions in their beliefs and actions. Although they offer him employment, they still view him through a lens of racial inequality, which ultimately limits Bigger’s humanity in their eyes.
4. Bigger’s Inner Struggle: The novel is not just a plot about physical crime; it is also a psychological portrait of Bigger. As the narrative progresses, we see his internal struggle—his overwhelming fear of white people, his resentment for his own circumstances, and his conflicted feelings toward his family, friends, and self.
5. Trial and Execution: Bigger’s trial becomes a public spectacle, further exposing the racial divisions in society. He is found guilty and sentenced to death. His fate underscores the harsh reality of American justice, particularly for Black men who are seen as expendable by the system.

Setting of Native Son

The novel is set in 1930s Chicago, during a time when the city was experiencing vast economic disparities, racial segregation, and industrial expansion. The setting plays a crucial role in the novel, highlighting the stark divide between the wealthier white neighborhoods and the impoverished Black neighborhoods. Wright uses the South Side of Chicago as a microcosm of the broader racial and economic injustices present in the United States at the time.

The oppressive environment of Chicago’s South Side—characterized by overcrowded housing, limited opportunities, and rampant racial discrimination—forms the backdrop for Bigger’s emotional and psychological struggles. Wright’s vivid descriptions of this environment help readers understand the grim circumstances that shape the characters’ lives and choices.

Class Activities for Native Son

1. Character Analysis: Students can create a character analysis chart for Bigger Thomas, highlighting his major traits, conflicts, motivations, and psychological development throughout the novel. This will help students gain deeper insight into the protagonist’s mind and how he reacts to different events.
2. Historical Context Discussion: Organize a discussion or group project that focuses on the historical context of Native Son. Students can research the racial and economic conditions of African Americans in the 1930s and compare them to today’s issues of race and inequality. This will help them understand how Wright’s work reflects both historical and ongoing struggles.
3. Theme Exploration Through Debate: Divide the class into two groups for a debate: one group will argue that Bigger Thomas’ actions are a direct result of systemic racism, while the other will argue that Bigger is responsible for his actions. This will encourage students to think critically about the novel’s themes and to understand the complexity of the character’s choices.
4. Creating Alternative Endings: Have students work in groups to write an alternative ending to Native Son. This will challenge them to think about the impact of the novel’s themes on its characters and explore what might have happened if Bigger had made different choices.
5. Exploring the Psychology of Fear: Bigger’s fear of white people is central to the novel. Ask students to write an essay or create a presentation on how fear and anxiety shaped Bigger’s actions and decisions. Students should explore psychological theories about fear and how they relate to Bigger’s character.

Class Assignments for Native Son

1. Research Paper on Racism in the 1930s: Students can write a research paper exploring the historical context of racism in the United States during the 1930s, focusing on how it influenced Wright’s portrayal of African American life. This assignment helps students understand the broader societal forces that shaped the novel.
2. Psychological Analysis of Bigger Thomas: Ask students to write an essay analyzing Bigger Thomas’s psyche, focusing on his feelings of alienation, fear, and guilt. Students should use evidence from the novel to support their analysis and explore how these psychological factors lead to the novel’s tragic events.
3. Comparison of Native Son and Modern-Day Race Relations: Have students write a comparative essay on Native Son and contemporary race relations in the United States. They should examine how the novel’s themes of racial inequality and social injustice resonate in today’s world.
4. Literary Criticism of Native Son: Assign students to write a literary critique of Native Son using one of the major schools of literary criticism, such as Marxist, feminist, or psychoanalytic criticism. This will help students deepen their analytical skills and understand the novel from different perspectives.
5. Exploring Race and Identity: Ask students to write an essay that explores the theme of race and identity in Native Son. How does Bigger’s identity as a Black man in a racially divided society affect his actions? This assignment encourages students to reflect on how identity shapes behavior and perception.

Conclusion

Native Son is a powerful, thought-provoking novel that forces readers to confront difficult truths about race, identity, and social injustice. By studying Richard Wright’s work, students and readers gain a deeper understanding of how systemic oppression affects individuals on a psychological and emotional level. The novel’s tragic conclusion serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of racism and inequality, both for individuals and society as a whole.

Through activities and assignments, educators can help students engage with Native Son on multiple levels, encouraging critical thinking and a deeper understanding of its themes. This novel is more than just a piece of literature—it is a call to examine the ways in which race and power shape the world we live in.