Native Son

Native Son is a novel by Richard Wright, published in 1940. It tells the story of Bigger Thomas, a young African American man living in poverty in Chicago in the 1930s. Bigger is a product of his environment, a society that has denied him the opportunity to succeed and has instead forced him into a life of crime. He is a victim of racism and oppression, and his story is a powerful indictment of the racism and injustice of the time.

Bigger is a 20-year-old African American man living in a one-room apartment with his family in Chicago. He is unemployed and desperate for money, so he takes a job as a chauffeur for a wealthy white family, the Daltons. Bigger is uncomfortable in his new role, and his fear and resentment of whites is palpable.

One night, Bigger is asked to take Mary Dalton, the daughter of his employers, out on a date. After the date, Bigger takes Mary home, but in a moment of panic, he accidentally suffocates her. In a desperate attempt to cover up his crime, Bigger disposes of Mary's body in a furnace.

Bigger is soon arrested and put on trial for Mary's murder. His lawyer, Boris Max, argues that Bigger is a victim of his environment and that he should not be held responsible for his actions. However, the jury finds Bigger guilty and he is sentenced to death.

In the end, Bigger is executed for his crime. However, his story serves as a powerful indictment of the racism and injustice of the time. Bigger's story is a reminder that racism and oppression can have devastating consequences, and that society must take responsibility for the conditions that lead to such tragedies.