This article has a valuable perspective, but one that I do not agree with. The author describes how Native Son "revitalizes prejudices and projections" (Solotaroff, 1973) that by that time had diminished. However, one cannot be objective about the era in which one lives, and because of this, I think that Theodore Solotaroff is unable to realize much of the importance of this book.
Howe, Irvine. "A World More Attractive: A View of Modern Literature and Politics.".
Contemporary Literature and Criticism. 3 (1975): 545. .
Examines the importance of Native Son in the time period in which it was released, as an attack on both the whites and blacks. The book attacks the white man by forcing him to realize his role as oppressor, and forces the black man to realize the consequences of the acceptance of his oppression. The book is important because it destroyed the foundation that made possible the system of lies and denial surrounding racism. The book destroyed the irrational hope that centuries of injustice against blacks would not cause bitterness or desire for retribution. The article then contrasts Richard Wright with other "naturalistic authors" saying that he shows too much emotion to be compared with traditional naturalists such as Theodore Dreiser. This article is valuable in that it expresses the idea that this book attacked a system of lies that made it possible for white Americans to rationalize the persecution of blacks.
Bluefarb, Sam. "Bigger Thomas, Escape into the Labyrinth." Contemporary Literary .
Criticism. 3 (1975): 546.
Interprets Native Son as a naturalistic novel incorporating, as a major idea, the theme of escape. Unlike the protagonists of other naturalistic novels, Bigger Thomas is unable to physically escape his oppressive environment, because of the limitations placed on him due to his skin color. Bigger attempts to find other avenues of escape, but is only able to feel truly free and independent by exploring his darker side.
