Author: jklein7

 The title of this particular book in the novel pervaded the back of my mind the entire time whilst reading its events. Every single aspect seems to be blamed on some sort of unflinching fate as a scapegoat. The authorities claim that the spectacle and handling of Bigger’s trial is completely justified and therefore fated, but it is clear that it is inciting unnecessary violence and further divides both the sides of the oppressor and the oppressed. They seek to make an example out of Bigger, solidifying his portrayal and therefore deciding his fate for him. Bigger himself also believes his actions to be completely fated as consequences of the sheer lack of control, autonomy, and individuality he has suffered from his entire life. Bigger genuinely believes he is a product of his unfair environment, a victim of the emasculations and prejudices he has always experienced. I agree that Bigger lacks control in his life while those in charge of his case yield it over him against his favor, but I also disagree that an omnipotent fate has all of these terrible events planned out, excusing anyone from being truly at fault. Hypocrisy and denial is present on all fronts. Even though he says so to save Bigger’s life, Max claims, “we planned the murder of Mary Dalton, and today we come to court and say: ‘We had nothing to do with it!” He tries to show the court how white society played a part in Mary’s death, rather than Bigger being completely responsible. Is it within Bigger’s fate to become a killer in order to revolt against the society that villainizes him? The debate of fate was also present during class discussion through the idea that “black people are born already dead.” I believe this idea would resonate with Bigger in how death was always fated to be a part of his life. Before meeting the Daltons, he meanders through life a dead man, and will now certainly die for taking a white girl’s life.

Book 1 of Native Son was a fascinating reading. The majority of the reading consists of Bigger’s efforts towards self-actualization. It reminded me very much of the events of A Raisin in the Sun. When I read that play for the first time in high school, we discussed at length the relevance of Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs within the story. Self-actualization is the final level of needs that can be sought after, but the most important in my opinion. A sense of individuality, purpose, and conviction are accomplished when this need is satisfied. Bigger is wanting of this, as Wright describes multiple instances of emasculation and frustration. My prediction is that the struggle towards self-actualization or the stark absence of it will play a critical role in these characters’ lives as well. Bigger is a frustrated young man who dreams of more for himself. His employment with the Daltons is portrayed as a stroke of luck at first for Bigger and his poor family, but the vapid liberalism, “white savior”-ness, and fascination the Daltons have towards Bigger and the black community in general poisons their good deeds. Could Mrs. Dalton’s blindness be a physical manifestation of her and her family’s color-blindness? The Dalton family present an extremely complex dynamic in wanting to help the people they employ, and yet Bigger still feels ill at ease around them, especially Mary. He simultaneously hates yet is captivated by her. They are reciprocally transfixed on each other, but in quite malicious and selfish ways. Mary wants to observe Bigger like an animal in captivity, while Bigger wants to take advantage of Mary in order to feel any control. Mary’s death was a complete shock. I felt sympathy for Bigger at first as he had put himself in serious danger, but his intentions and feelings are becoming more confusing and unreliable. On the surface, he is a poor black kid who has murdered a rich white girl. Will he escape the consequences of his actions? Will society be able to forgive him?