Native Son Dehumanization

In this world, the impacts of a society directly correspond with personalities. In Richard Wright’s novel Native Son, society has a blatant impact on the thoughts, and actions of Bigger Thomas. Bigger, a young black man living through modern segregation, struggles with the newly found responsibilities of adulthood. As Bigger struggles, societal impacts cause a series of disastrous events. Throughout the novel, society’s influence on Bigger’s lack of trust, hopes, and instincts of self preservation can be held accountable for his thoughts, and actions.
The dehumanization of black people and physical isolation of cultures causes Bigger to feel threatened and distrustful when in situations with white people. Because of the white hate against the …show more content…
During the period of transition from harsh racial profiling against black people to slightly less racial profiling comes prejudice generalization. The generalization, that black people are more likely to commit rape or be attracted to white people, causes Bigger to act recklessly while in Mary’s room. As Mrs. Dalton enters the room, Bigger becomes careless and to save himself from being accused of rape, he covers Mary’s face with a pillow. Bigger thinks, “She was dead and he had killed her...Mrs.Dalton had been in the room while he was there, but she had not known it. But, had she? No! Yes”(Wright 87). This portrayal that black people rape white people more than white people do prompts Bigger to act irresponsibly and accidentally smother Mary to death. Additionally, the law cannot fairly charge Bigger for this because he has no motive. Motive, in the sense of murder, is purposefully and knowingly killing a person and therefore, without a reasonable motive Bigger cannot be charged lawfully with murder. Similarly, just as Bigger cannot be liable for the death of Mary, nor can he be liable for the death of Bessie. As law enforcement teaches minorities in Bigger's city that anytime they need help they are on their own, this concept leads to the second homicide. During Bigger’s trial the manipulation of the jury by emotions depict the lack of justice from the …show more content…
Society’s animalization and seclusion of two cultures causes his distrust and hostility toward white people. Even more, the adult responsibilities Bigger takes on of an impoverished black family destroy any hope for a better future or happiness. Consequently, prompting his foolish decisions to include Bessie and a ransom note. As Bigger attempts the job his responsibilities forced upon him, society’s portrayal and injustice toward black people leads to his self-preservation and the homicide of two young women. Throughout Bigger’s life, society has impacted everything about him, from his thoughts, to his feelings, to his