Sympathy in Wright's Native Son

In Native Son, Richard Wright introduces Bigger Thomas, a liar and a

thief. Wright evokes sympathy for this man despite the fact that he

commits two murders. Through the reactions of others to his actions and

through his own reactions to what he has done, the author creates

compassion in the reader towards Bigger to help convey the desperate

state of Black Americans in the 1930's.

The simplest method Wright uses to produce sympathy is the portrayal of

the hatred and intolerance shown toward Thomas as a black criminal.

This first occurs when Bigger is immediately suspected as being involved

in Mary Dalton's disappearance. Mr. Britten suspects that Bigger is

guilty and only ceases his attacks when Bigger casts enough suspicion on

Jan to convince Mr. Dalton. Britten explains, "To me, a nigger's a

nigger" (Wright, Richard. Native Son. New York: Harper and Row, 1940.

154). Because of Bigger's blackness, it is immediately assumed that he

is responsible in some capacity. This assumption causes the reader to

sympathize with Bigger. While only a kidnapping or possible murder are

being investigated, once Bigger is fingered as the culprit, the

newspapers say the incident is "possibly a sex crime" (228). Eleven

pages later, Wright depicts bold black headlines proclaiming a "rapist"

(239) on the loose. Wright evokes compassion for Bigger, knowing that

he is this time unjustly accused. The reader is greatly moved when

Chicago's citizens direct all their racial hatred directly at Bigger.

The shouts "Kill him! Lynch him! That black sonofabitch! Kill that

black ape!" (253) immediately after his capture encourage a concern for

Bigger's well-being. Wright intends for the reader to extend this fear

for the safety of Bigger toward the entire black community. The

reader's sympathy is further encouraged when the reader remembers that

all this hatred has been spurred by an accident.

While Bigger Thomas does many evil things, the