Today was our first discussion of Native Son and I’m glad to hear that most people really like the book despite its disturbing nature. I’m just going to recap some of the key points that were brought up during discussion and of course add a few of my own. First, just a historical note: after WWI there was a large migration of Southern blacks to the North for jobs. In particular Chicago and New York (Harlem) become hot spots for growing African-American neighborhoods. Unfortunately, a lot of whites were not pleased with this new situation and blacks were essentially cordoned off in sections called “black belts.” Even if apartments were available in other parts of the city, whites were not allowed to rent to blacks. This then drove up the rent prices in the black belt (supply and demand) so blacks were often paying more for a run-down apartment then a nicer one in a white area of town.

How are stereotypes being played on, embellished, corrupted? Does it seem strange that a black author would make such an unlikeable black protagonist? What would be the possible reasons behind this? Along with this, what is the purpose behind the graphic violence. Wright isn’t just disturbed so why is it such a main focus? Hint: What is your reaction to it?

Is Bigger justified? I am in no way trying to say brutal violence is acceptable but try to get inside Bigger’s head. In the 1930s, for a black man to be caught in a white woman’s room meant almost certain death. Not to mention he has had virtually no contact with whites prior to this night, so he has nothing to help him think logically.

What is the “fear” that is so prominent in this chapter? Is Bigger crazy? If so, was he born crazy or was he created? (This might also tie in with the title). What does he mean when he says “living behind a wall” (9).

Both Jan and Mary attempt to befriend Bigger, yet it only seems to make Bigger more angry. What is Wright trying to say with this?

Contrasts: I always think it’s helpful to look at any contrasts that an author presents. For this opening section the one that stands out to me is the different settings—Bigger’s apartment vs. the Dalton’s home. In addition to the spacial issues you also have the contrasting animals. (Watch for a parallel rat scene at the end of “Flight”)

Several instances are made about the communists in a negative light. Where is this information coming from? Bigger is fairly uneducated, yet even he has a low opinion of them. This should lead you to look at how the media is portrayed and how the media portrays various groups—whites, blacks, communists. Watch for more media influence throughout the novel.

Blindness—more than just literal. Bonus points to Haley for remembering back to that sheet I gave out at the start of the year. Now that we’ve read quite a few novels I would highly encourage you to take another look at the list.

Key Passages:
Mary 23, Bigger 20
Contrast Bigger’s home p. 1 to Dalton’s home
Treatment of Bigger from his mother—manhood, “why I birthed you”
Living behind a wall p. 9
Activities of Bigger’s friends—rob blacks, “play white” 18,
Flight imagery—plane 17, pigeon 22
Bigger’s behavior when in presence of whites—54