Presence of Madness in "native Son"

Native Son

There are often many contributing factors as to why a person commits a crime. In the novel Native Son, the protagonist Bigger Thomas commits an accidental murder, causing a domino effect of unfortunate events in his life. One of these unfortunate events includes madness. According to Emily Dickinson, "much madness is divinest sense, to a discerning eye". Throughout the novel, we learn the reasoning behind Bigger's madness and learn to sympathize with him.

Bigger Thomas, who was raised in a one-room apartment that he shared with his entire family, makes his money committing small crimes. He is involved in a gang, and has a severe hatred towards white people. The members of his gang also have a negative outlook on the white community, feeling that they are oppressed by them. Since he was raised in poverty and deals with racism, this greatly affects Bigger's outlook on life. His madness first arises as he takes out his inward anger of himself, on others. When Gus is uncertain about committing the robbery, although Bigger is also uncertain and scared, he takes his emotions of fear out on Gus. In the novel, Bigger turns to violence as an answer to suppress his inner guilt and fear.

Richard Wright also uses the characters of Max and Jan to make the readers look upon Bigger and his race with a different perspective. They try and show the public the reason for Bigger's madness. In the novel, Bigger's lawyer Boris Max highlights the fact that Bigger grew up with daily struggles. He suggests that all African Americans feel powerless, and it is the American Society on a whole to blame for Bigger's "madness" and crimes.

Another character in the novel that brings out the madness in Bigger would be his girlfriend, Bessie. Bessie, a hardworking girl who has been an accomplice to her boyfriend Bigger in the past, becomes wrapped up in Bigger's murder. She becomes an opposing antagonist to Bigger's plans. Bigger attempts to run from his murder crime and madness. He feels controlled by his emotions, and as before, he turns to violence to deal with the inner struggle he has with himself. Smashing Bessie's head with a brick could also symbolize Bigger's attempt to escape his own head. He develops paranoia as he continues to run from reality.

In the end of the novel, while Bigger has time to reflex on himself in his cell, we see that he is resentful and sorry for his past actions. During the last part of the book, the readers have a clearer view of Bigger's reasons for his madness. They can look upon his mad actions with a wiser, discerning sense. When madness is looked upon with a discerning eye, we find sympathy. Consequently, Bigger is sentenced to life in prison, contrary to the death sentence.