Thoughts on Bigger

When Richard Wright wrote the novel Native Son he used the main character, Bigger, to convey a message to the readers. This message is that people can be reduced to their natural animalistic state where they feel that when you are attacked or scared your only options are to fight, flee, and freeze. This can be caused by outside forces such as a person’s surroundings and history. Bigger’s use of these three options is shown through three character traits, his violence, spontaneousness, and his fear.
First, Bigger is violent at many points throughout the book. The first sign of Bigger’s violence was in the very beginning of the book when he and Buddy killed the rat. Another sign of Bigger’s violence is when Gus shows up late to Doc’s. “He made a long step as graceful as an animal leaping, threw out his left foot and tripped Gusto the floor. Gus turned over to rise, but Bigger was on top of him, with the knife open and ready.” (Wright 38) Binger’s violence is d...