"Well, this thing's bigger than you, son. In a certain sense, every Negro in America's on trial out there today" (368).
Max is completely true when he says this statement and Bigger needs to realize that he represents the entire black population. This trial will not only determine his life, but also determine lives of other black men. If Max can gain respect for Bigger from the crowd, then black people will start to get the respect they deserved a long time ago. Max is going to show the white crowd how Bigger's actions were a result from the white people's oppression to the black people. Bigger was helpless. He felt he had no purpose in life except to serve the white people. The white people are the ones to blame for most of the crimes of the black population. As Bigger mentioned before, if white people weren't trying to oppress the black people and simply accepted them, then Bigger would not be in a jail cell waiting to hear if he is going to die. Max will be the one to slow things down and try to help the white people understand what they have caused the black people to do. The white people just assume things about black people and that is injust. In order for Max to help the Court understand Bigger's circumstances, Bigger needs to meet Max halfway instead of continuously saying he rather die because Bigger knows that is the last thing he wants happening to him. Bigger needs to find the courage to speak up for himself and justify Max's point.
Will Bigger gain any confidence in front of the white people in the Court?
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Native Son Post #14 Pg. 363
"He breathed softly, wondering about the cool breath of peace that hovered in his body. It was as though he were trying to listen to the beat of his own heart" (359).
Bigger opened his own curtain and allowed his emotions to flow out and become exposed. Bigger's curtain was usually either forcefully ripped open or tightly covered. Now, it slowly opened by itself for the first time. After talking to Max, Bigger was exposed to a new light. He felt so much better after letting out what had been burdening him for almost his entire life. Max showed Bigger that not only black people were hated, but also certain white people too. Max asked Bigger questions about his actions that Bigger never really took the time to fully understand on his own. He thought about them for the first time and didn't hide behind his curtain. Unfortunately, Bigger's new light on society will be turned out because he has already committed crimes that can not go unpunished and he has to pay the consequences.
Will Bigger face a death sentence at the end of the book? I hope not!
Bigger opened his own curtain and allowed his emotions to flow out and become exposed. Bigger's curtain was usually either forcefully ripped open or tightly covered. Now, it slowly opened by itself for the first time. After talking to Max, Bigger was exposed to a new light. He felt so much better after letting out what had been burdening him for almost his entire life. Max showed Bigger that not only black people were hated, but also certain white people too. Max asked Bigger questions about his actions that Bigger never really took the time to fully understand on his own. He thought about them for the first time and didn't hide behind his curtain. Unfortunately, Bigger's new light on society will be turned out because he has already committed crimes that can not go unpunished and he has to pay the consequences.
Will Bigger face a death sentence at the end of the book? I hope not!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Native Son Post #11-13 Pg. 340
1.) "He had lived and acted on the assumption that he was alone, and now he saw that he had not been" (298).
Bigger had been the blind person the entire time; not his family or the Daltons and Jan. He did not see all the people that actually cared about him and wanted to help him. He was blinded by his own pride to see his family and Jan show their care and concern. Bigger finally realized how many other people he hurt too. He killed the woman that Jan loved and dug a deeper financial hole for his family. Now that he realizes there are people who share his spirit and understand his circumstance, he might want to consider trusting them. If he does, he won't have anything to lose and if he doesn't, he still won't have anything to lose. It would be worth a shot. Through Jan's actions, he has shown a great concern for Bigger's situation and trusting him would not be a bad idea. Even though Jan may be seeking publicity for the Reds, Bigger would be better off trusting him than a man like Buckley.
Will Jan and Max be able to help Bigger?
2.) "Who'll believe you when you say you didn't do it? You killed and raped two women in two days; who'll believe you when you say you didn't rape and kill the others?" (305).
Buckley justifies the unfortunate fact that black people have no say in the white world they live in. One black man's crime labels the entire black race as rapists and black killers. It would be hard to believe that Bigger only raped and killed two women when there have been many other unsolved rape and murder crimes. It would be expected that Bigger raped the other two women Buckley mentioned. The woman that identified Bigger as the rapist would have said the same thing if she was shown any other black man. It is not fair to Bigger because no matter how many times he tells the truth about not raping the other two women, he will still be accused as guilty for doing so. It is easier to blame a crime on a black person, then to take the time to find out who really committed the crime. White people are equally guilty. Not only is the black race accused of wrongdoing, but also the Reds. They have not done anything wrong. People like Jan simply want equality among the blacks and whites. If whites do not feel that a black person has the capability of committing a crime, then the blame goes to the Reds. There doesn't seem to be a need to find the real criminal when there are different groups and races to blame it on.
Will Bigger tell Max or the other lawyers what he has been feeling or will he keep it hidden inside of him?
3.) "Never again did he want to feel anything like hope. That was what was wrong; he had let that preacher talk to him until somewhere in him he had begun to feel that maybe something could happen" (340).
Bigger's hope the preacher gave him diminished as he saw the cross burning in flames. He had gathered enough strength in him to feel a sense of hope in God, but seeing the cross burning made him realize how easily something could be destroyed. Hope wouldn't have done him any good because he knew that the white people would once again crush any light he had. The white people oppressed the black people to the point where they could not even look a white person in the face. Bigger felt a sense of power when he thought he could get away with the murder. He felt pride that he could do something the whites would never have thought possible. It was insulting and hurtful to Bigger as the white people crushed his pride when they thought there was no way an uneducated black man could commit such a murder. Bigger even had the urge to tell them he did it. Bigger can only see his situation in one way; nobody can help him, not even Jan or Max. Bigger is alone. The oppression white people have put upon black people will only hurt them in the end. If black people weren't oppressed and treated equally, then there would a lot less misunderstanding among the races.
What will happen next?
Bigger had been the blind person the entire time; not his family or the Daltons and Jan. He did not see all the people that actually cared about him and wanted to help him. He was blinded by his own pride to see his family and Jan show their care and concern. Bigger finally realized how many other people he hurt too. He killed the woman that Jan loved and dug a deeper financial hole for his family. Now that he realizes there are people who share his spirit and understand his circumstance, he might want to consider trusting them. If he does, he won't have anything to lose and if he doesn't, he still won't have anything to lose. It would be worth a shot. Through Jan's actions, he has shown a great concern for Bigger's situation and trusting him would not be a bad idea. Even though Jan may be seeking publicity for the Reds, Bigger would be better off trusting him than a man like Buckley.
Will Jan and Max be able to help Bigger?
2.) "Who'll believe you when you say you didn't do it? You killed and raped two women in two days; who'll believe you when you say you didn't rape and kill the others?" (305).
Buckley justifies the unfortunate fact that black people have no say in the white world they live in. One black man's crime labels the entire black race as rapists and black killers. It would be hard to believe that Bigger only raped and killed two women when there have been many other unsolved rape and murder crimes. It would be expected that Bigger raped the other two women Buckley mentioned. The woman that identified Bigger as the rapist would have said the same thing if she was shown any other black man. It is not fair to Bigger because no matter how many times he tells the truth about not raping the other two women, he will still be accused as guilty for doing so. It is easier to blame a crime on a black person, then to take the time to find out who really committed the crime. White people are equally guilty. Not only is the black race accused of wrongdoing, but also the Reds. They have not done anything wrong. People like Jan simply want equality among the blacks and whites. If whites do not feel that a black person has the capability of committing a crime, then the blame goes to the Reds. There doesn't seem to be a need to find the real criminal when there are different groups and races to blame it on.
Will Bigger tell Max or the other lawyers what he has been feeling or will he keep it hidden inside of him?
3.) "Never again did he want to feel anything like hope. That was what was wrong; he had let that preacher talk to him until somewhere in him he had begun to feel that maybe something could happen" (340).
Bigger's hope the preacher gave him diminished as he saw the cross burning in flames. He had gathered enough strength in him to feel a sense of hope in God, but seeing the cross burning made him realize how easily something could be destroyed. Hope wouldn't have done him any good because he knew that the white people would once again crush any light he had. The white people oppressed the black people to the point where they could not even look a white person in the face. Bigger felt a sense of power when he thought he could get away with the murder. He felt pride that he could do something the whites would never have thought possible. It was insulting and hurtful to Bigger as the white people crushed his pride when they thought there was no way an uneducated black man could commit such a murder. Bigger even had the urge to tell them he did it. Bigger can only see his situation in one way; nobody can help him, not even Jan or Max. Bigger is alone. The oppression white people have put upon black people will only hurt them in the end. If black people weren't oppressed and treated equally, then there would a lot less misunderstanding among the races.
What will happen next?
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Native Son Post #10 Pg. 286
"But maybe it would never come; maybe there was no such thing for him; maybe he would have to go to his end just as he was, dumb, driven, with the shadow of emptiness in his eyes" (275).
The white people have made the blacks and Bigger view themselves as dumb, driven, and empty. The white people will never realize how tough the black people have it in society and the black people have to suffer in their place. Bigger has given up all hope in this quote. Bigger and his people are treated like dogs where ever they go and are considered guilty for wrongdoings no matter how innocent a black person is. The white people simply see a Negro chauffeur on a raping and murdering rampage. They have never thought to consider why Bigger is so quiet in his jail cell or why he does not touch his food. All of Bigger's actions are the cause of white people. The white people have put themselves in their trauma over rape and murder by treating black people lesser than dogs. Bigger Thomas was one of the few that would have the nerve enough to kill a white girl and disrespect a white family. Bigger is in a depression realizing there is nothing that can be done to break the racial segregation. He had a sense of pride murdering Mary and that feeling will never come again for him.
Will Bigger do something drastic to himself?
The white people have made the blacks and Bigger view themselves as dumb, driven, and empty. The white people will never realize how tough the black people have it in society and the black people have to suffer in their place. Bigger has given up all hope in this quote. Bigger and his people are treated like dogs where ever they go and are considered guilty for wrongdoings no matter how innocent a black person is. The white people simply see a Negro chauffeur on a raping and murdering rampage. They have never thought to consider why Bigger is so quiet in his jail cell or why he does not touch his food. All of Bigger's actions are the cause of white people. The white people have put themselves in their trauma over rape and murder by treating black people lesser than dogs. Bigger Thomas was one of the few that would have the nerve enough to kill a white girl and disrespect a white family. Bigger is in a depression realizing there is nothing that can be done to break the racial segregation. He had a sense of pride murdering Mary and that feeling will never come again for him.
Will Bigger do something drastic to himself?
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Native Son: End of Book Two: Post #9 Pg. 270
"He opened his eyes and saw a circle of white faces, but he was outside of them, behind his curtain, his wall, looking on" (269).
In the the middle of the reading, Bigger wants to "go down looking into the faces of those that would murder him" (260). He should not have taken this stance especially if he already knew that he was going to be caught. Bigger still had the confidence he had when he thought he would escape the murder, but now it is mixed with a great amount of fear. The fear he kept behind his curtain and wall. It came back to Bigger and doesn't look like it is going to leave him this time. Bigger did not like the white community and felt a sense of pride killing Mary Dalton, but he should have seen what was coming. He still killed an innocent human being and therefore he deserves to get penalized for it. He put himself in this position knowing what the consequences would be. Bigger also got other innocent people in trouble such as Bessie and the black residents living in the Black Belt. There was no need to kill Bessie. If he knew she would not be help to him, then he should have kept his plans to himself and received the money for the ransom he had written on his own. After being caught and almost frozen, Bigger will hopefully understand the mistakes he has made. He needs to learn his right from his wrong and the white people might actually be the only ones to beat it into him.
What will happen to Bigger?
In the the middle of the reading, Bigger wants to "go down looking into the faces of those that would murder him" (260). He should not have taken this stance especially if he already knew that he was going to be caught. Bigger still had the confidence he had when he thought he would escape the murder, but now it is mixed with a great amount of fear. The fear he kept behind his curtain and wall. It came back to Bigger and doesn't look like it is going to leave him this time. Bigger did not like the white community and felt a sense of pride killing Mary Dalton, but he should have seen what was coming. He still killed an innocent human being and therefore he deserves to get penalized for it. He put himself in this position knowing what the consequences would be. Bigger also got other innocent people in trouble such as Bessie and the black residents living in the Black Belt. There was no need to kill Bessie. If he knew she would not be help to him, then he should have kept his plans to himself and received the money for the ransom he had written on his own. After being caught and almost frozen, Bigger will hopefully understand the mistakes he has made. He needs to learn his right from his wrong and the white people might actually be the only ones to beat it into him.
What will happen to Bigger?
Friday, April 3, 2009
Native Son Post #8 Pg. 209
"Bigger was still, feeling that the cat had given him away, had pointed him out as the murderer of Mary" (202).
Bigger's fear slowly crept back to him as the cat jumped onto his shoulder. The cat was his only witness when he murdered Mary. The press, Mr. Dalton's statement, and Britten's stereotypes were too overwhelming for Bigger to handle and he was not prepared for any of them. He still pictured Mary's bloody head whenever he looked at the furnace and the cat only reminded him more of that night. Bigger does not know what to do at the moment. When the cat came on his shoulder, Bigger felt nervous. Bigger's feelings of fear and guilt came out from behind the curtain that hid his emotions. He wanted everything to stop for a few hours and just go to sleep. Bigger still shows his confidence by calling the press "a lot of fools" (208), but he is also questioning the moves Jan and Britten might play. Bigger can only have confidence that he will get away with the murder to a certain point, but he is really in no position to feel over confident.
Will Bigger get the money? & Will Britten and his men check the furnace or find anything strange about it?
Bigger's fear slowly crept back to him as the cat jumped onto his shoulder. The cat was his only witness when he murdered Mary. The press, Mr. Dalton's statement, and Britten's stereotypes were too overwhelming for Bigger to handle and he was not prepared for any of them. He still pictured Mary's bloody head whenever he looked at the furnace and the cat only reminded him more of that night. Bigger does not know what to do at the moment. When the cat came on his shoulder, Bigger felt nervous. Bigger's feelings of fear and guilt came out from behind the curtain that hid his emotions. He wanted everything to stop for a few hours and just go to sleep. Bigger still shows his confidence by calling the press "a lot of fools" (208), but he is also questioning the moves Jan and Britten might play. Bigger can only have confidence that he will get away with the murder to a certain point, but he is really in no position to feel over confident.
Will Bigger get the money? & Will Britten and his men check the furnace or find anything strange about it?
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Native Son Post #7 Pg. 186
"Because he could go now, run off if he wanted to and leave it all behind, he felt a certain sense of power, a power born of a latent capacity to live" (164).
Bigger felt the power of choice overcome him. He realized the power he had over Britten and Mr. Dalton. Bigger could have done anything he wished to do because he had not yet been suspected of committing the murder by acting like an innocent servant, who is too dumb to notice the obvious. This power of choice is new to Bigger because of such mistreatment of blacks in society. Britten's attitude toward Bigger only makes Bigger want to challenge himself to accomplish more mischievous deeds. It will make Bigger feel good about himself and give him something to laugh about. He will get the feeling of how blind the people around him are and how much better he is than the others. Bigger needs to get his priorities straightened out because he won't be going anywhere if he keeps this act up.
Will Bigger get caught?
Bigger felt the power of choice overcome him. He realized the power he had over Britten and Mr. Dalton. Bigger could have done anything he wished to do because he had not yet been suspected of committing the murder by acting like an innocent servant, who is too dumb to notice the obvious. This power of choice is new to Bigger because of such mistreatment of blacks in society. Britten's attitude toward Bigger only makes Bigger want to challenge himself to accomplish more mischievous deeds. It will make Bigger feel good about himself and give him something to laugh about. He will get the feeling of how blind the people around him are and how much better he is than the others. Bigger needs to get his priorities straightened out because he won't be going anywhere if he keeps this act up.
Will Bigger get caught?
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