The summaries in this paper examine several unique and sometimes conflicting perspectives that, taken together, give the reader of Native Son a deeper understanding of the novels purpose. Finding the purpose of the novel is a challenge, because the initial reaction is one of shock and dismay. As a result, it helps to get input from multiple perspectives, each which bring a source of new light to the meaning of the book. I found that the novel revealed to me an existence that I had never considered before. Bigger's ultimate motivation is fear. He is terrified of himself and every situation that he encounters in the book and the book shows what may happen when one lives by compulsively acting on fear. Native Son is not the first work I have read by Richard Wright. I read Black Boy in high school and was fascinated at how new and alien the books perspective was, and wished that I could get a deeper understanding of the theme. This bibliography gave me that opportunity, and I decided that I would read a creative work of Richard Wright's, in order to explore more deeply this unique perspective. From this assignment I have furthered my understanding of the experience of an individual under oppression.
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Solotaroff, Theodore. "The Integration of Bigger Thomas." Contemporary Literary .
Criticism. 1 (1973): 377-378.
Compares the significance of the book Native Son in two different time frames, that of the 1940's and that of the 1960's. The article claims that the sensationalism and controversy of the book was necessary in the 40's to shock the public out of their ignorant indifference, but is unjustifiable today. Theodore claims that in the modern era (1960's) such a violent and disturbing view of society simply serves to further inflame existing conflicts. The ever-present theme of hate in the book adds to its power and impact, but because Richard Wright in a sense gets carried away with this theme, it distracts the reader from the social issues that the author was most determined to draw into the light.
