In Native
Son and Black Boy, violence is
woven throughout. Consider the ways that violence impacts the characters and
the plot. Is it a necessary element to move the stories forward? In what ways
do you agree or disagree with Wright’s depiction of violence?
Violence is an essential theme intertwined throughout Richard Wright's autobiography, Black Boy. The novel starts off with a scene wherein which Richard is almost beaten to death, by his mother, for setting their house on fire. Although his actions weren’t intentional, the punishment bestowed upon him was wrapped in emotions of anger and frustration rather than simple disciplinary intentions. The initial scene also continues on to an illustration, of Wright, brutally taking the life of a kitten in an attempt to rebel against his father. Several incidences of violence transpire throughout the novel ranging from discipline received through family members to getting caught up in situations where Wright found himself involved in violent situations directly related to/influenced by white men (i.e., whites acting violently towards blacks, being manipulated into a boxing match, etc..). Following suit of this premise, Wright closes out his novel with a scene where he is aggressively shoved to a curbside and rejected by men he, at one point in time, considered to be friends. Within each scenario where violence was the center of occurring events, confusion is depicted. Consistently throughout his youth, Wright found himself in situations where violent behavior was, in fact, necessary in order not only to protect himself, but also to ensure that protection would be warranted from there on out. The application of hostility throughout the novel evidently serves a purpose. The violence portrayed adequately reflected the historical time frame upon which this novel is based (Jim Crowe era). This time period was one that overflowed with oppression, violence and hope for a better life. Richard Wright did a more than commendable job with touching on each aspect, in detail, while also drawing his readers in to share the hardships and emotions he experienced. His story is a truly inspirational tale of one man’s fight towards something better.
ReplyDeleteNative Son was a good book with suspence and drama the kept me reading. I had mixed feelings about the main character Bigger Thomas becuase when it was time for him to do good things for himself or others it seemed difficult to him. When he had to come up with despicable acts of violence it's like so genious appeared that showed me he had some type of intellegence that could carry him far if used the right way.
ReplyDeleteIn Native Son Bigger Thomas was a very violent man. Part of me can see why he felt violence was the answer. Growing up in that time and witnessing what he did Bigger Thomas was conditioned to act that way. Bigger was full of anger and so was many other young black folks. Bigger's father was even killed under violent circumstances. If a man was conditioned to kill he would. There wasn't much sympathy from him until the end because that's what he new. Richard Wright uses violence as a way of escape for Bigger Thomas when was violent he was in charge. His violence sets him equal to whites. Bigger Thomas lived through television,movies and magazines white was the only that was right, and that's what he wanted to be. Equal and Free, Rich not Poor believe it or not he wanted much more.
ReplyDeleteKatrina Cotton
Bigger was a very troubled person in the book "Native Son". He killed two women very violently who seemed to care about him. Bigger reminds me of my newphew. The more someone tries to convince him to do right, he goes left. His violence stems from low self-esteem and lack of education.
ReplyDeleteBigger Thomas was a very violent man only because he felt what he did was justifiable. Carrying so much anger with tunnel vision made it very hard for Bigger to see that there was some good in his life and opportunites that he could have chosen to take. Overall lack of confidence and anger led Bigger Thomas to destruct the way he did. Being a misunderstood black male coming from the time and poverty that he came from resulted in the violent acts of Bigger Thomas. Violence was the only way he could express his feelings and be in control and control had Bigger Thomas satisfied.
ReplyDeleteIn the novel "Native Son" the main character, Bigger, is a troubled young boy whom has lost hope in himself. In an attempt to rebuild himself up, Bigger gets himself into a lot of troubled that surely could have be prevented. I feel that if Bigger had of made the right decisions to just tell the truth he could have been able to move on with life positively. Bigger sets an example of young boys of all types who make wrong decisions based off of the want to be liked and the want to be on top.
ReplyDeleteViolence is present throughout the book "Native Son". During the opening scene, we are introduced to Bigger's violent behavior. In this short opening scene, we see Bigger expressing himself as a 'hunter'. As Bigger hunted the rat that invaded their home, he displays an increased level of anger and violence as he hunts and kills his prey. After killing his prey, there was no shame in his actions. He was proud of what he had done, and this was just an introduction to what he was really capable of. As I was reading, I begin to compare the violent mindset of Bigger to someone in my own community who may be labled 'violent'. Bigger's charachter can be compared to many of the frustrated young black men in my own community who are constantly getting themselves into some form of trouble. Like Bigger, many of these young men come from dysfuctional backgrounds, and a community with limited resources so violence is more prevalent. Bigger was violent due to his level of frustration caused by his disadvantaged back ground.
ReplyDeleteEven though Native Son was written in the 1940's, I believe the story identifies with many issues that still face the black man now. I myself have known a few Bigger Thomas' throughout my life.I would love for my brothers to read this novel,hopefully to find that in order to live your desired lifestyle, you must make positive decisions. The main reason I had an issue with Bigger was that he represented himself as the typical black male stereotype that white America has grown accustomed to. Overall, I also believe that Bigger like many black men suffer from a lack of confidence and ambition. It's definitely time for the black race as a whole to start to uplift each other and dont give "society" what they want to see.
ReplyDeleteIn both Black Boy and Native Son the time eras themselves were incredibly violent. The presence of violence in both could suggest that Richard Wright was either manipulating his environment or since being a productive of anger and rage could only really convey what was right in front of him. And I would have to also agree with Kibibi's statement in that "many black men suffer from a lack of confidence and ambition." They get frustrated with how things are going and then seek either an easier or more profitable route regardless of what the consequences may be. I feel that in this day and age there's still alot to be angry about. Anger is an amazing tool for motivation and can be used to ones advantage but only if they've learned how to humble themselves.
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