The motif of “blindness” is an idea that recurs many times in Richard Wright’s masterpiece Native Son. Thus it has got a significant meaning to develop the novel’s general theme. This motif, next to others (such as “whiteness”), supports a certain idea: Referring to James Nagel, it is “[…] operative throughout the novel […]” and provides the impression of “[…] a lack of understanding and of a tendency to generalize individuals on the basis of race. It is both a rationalization for those who are looking and a disguise for those who are looked at.”
Almost all the characters, occurring in the novel, are “blind” in a figurative sense, which makes them prejudiced or apparently charitable not knowing what they are actually causing. They provoke hatred and are not able to see reality as it is. In fact, Bigger is considered to be a stereotype representing the whole black mass. Not until the end of Native Son (“But what I killed for, I am!” 429) does he realize his being an individual with particular needs and emotions. Conversely, he sees himself through the eyes of others, especially through those of the white people surrounding him. Obviously, “blindness” plays an important role in the novel. This seminar paper will deal with this motif that underlines the character’s “lack of understanding”, as Nagel would call it, and their tendency to consider an individual to be just an example of a whole mass, namely Bigger as the stereotype of the whole black community. In that way, microcosm is turned to macrocosm with no respect to Bigger’s individuality.
For the following analysis, it is, at first, necessary to focus on the definition of the term “motif” to continue with the main part. The latter is planned to include the “blindness”, either in a literal or figurative sense (or both), of certain characters. Therefore, Mary and Jan will be considered at first. Secondly, we look at Mr. and Mrs. Dalton to go on further with Boris Max, Bigger’s lawyer in the trial of the third book. These figures are chosen because of their significance for the plot and Bigger’s personal development. Furthermore, they represent the meaning of “blindness” and its effects, mentioned above, best. The protagonist Bigger himself will be the last character who will be analysed according to his “blindness” to end up in a brief conclusion.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Definition of the Term “Motif”
3. The Motif of “Blindness” in Richard Wright’s Native Son
3.1 Mary’s and Jan’s “Blindness”
3.2 Mr. and Mrs. Dalton’s “Blindness”
3.3 Max’s “Blindness”
3.4 Bigger’s “Blindness”
4. Conclusion
5. Bibliography
Research Objectives and Themes
This seminar paper investigates the motif of "blindness" in Richard Wright’s Native Son, exploring how this metaphor represents a pervasive lack of understanding and a tendency to generalize individuals based on race. The work examines how various characters, including the Daltons, Jan Erlone, Boris Max, and the protagonist Bigger Thomas, are "blind" to reality and to Bigger’s true individuality, thereby reinforcing the cycle of prejudice and systemic oppression.
- The role of "blindness" as a recurring literary motif in Native Son.
- Figurative and literal blindness as manifestations of racial prejudice and societal conditioning.
- The psychological impact of being viewed as a stereotype rather than an individual.
- Bigger Thomas's transformation from a "blind" participant in society to an individual aware of his own identity.
- The failure of "white liberalism" and ideological systems (like Marxism) to truly see the Black experience.
Excerpt from the Book
3.4 Bigger’s “Blindness”
Like almost every other character in Richard Wright’s Native Son, Bigger Thomas is portrayed as a “blind” person in many ways. Bigger is a back boy of 20 years of age, who lives together with his mother, his sister Vera and his brother Buddy in a small flat in the Black Belt of Chicago. He is anxious to confront truths about his life and reality in general. Referring to Butler, this is caused by the anxiety “[…] that these truths will lead to his undoing.”
At the beginning of the novel, the boy sees himself as the typical representative of the black mass that actually has got no space in a society dominated by whites. He believes to be one out of many without any future prospects. As James Nagel points out, he is, in fact, “blind as anyone” until the first murder of Mary Dalton in book one. Nagel goes on: “[h]e does not understand himself and plays no clear role in either his family, gang, or society.” Finally, the killing of the Dalton’s daughter is just the culmination of “[…] his isolation and blindness and the inception of his ability to ‘see.’” Thus he sees himself as the white society sees him. That causes his being preconditioned by his environment including the already mentioned family, his gang or the Daltons. In that way, he also behaves like he is expected to do.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: Introduces the motif of "blindness" as a critical element in Native Son that signifies a lack of empathy and a tendency to categorize Black individuals as monolithic stereotypes.
2. Definition of the Term “Motif”: Establishes a theoretical framework by defining a literary motif as a recurring unit of meaning that contributes to the development of a novel’s broader themes.
3. The Motif of “Blindness” in Richard Wright’s Native Son: Analyzes the figurative and literal blindness of key characters, demonstrating how their inability to perceive Bigger Thomas as an individual leads to tragic outcomes.
3.1 Mary’s and Jan’s “Blindness”: Explores how Mary Dalton and Jan Erlone, despite their apparent charity, are blinded by their privileged backgrounds and ideological assumptions, failing to see Bigger’s humanity.
3.2 Mr. and Mrs. Dalton’s “Blindness”: Discusses the Daltons' blindness, specifically focusing on how Mrs. Dalton’s literal blindness mirrors her metaphorical failure to comprehend the reality of life in the Black Belt.
3.3 Max’s “Blindness”: Examines how the lawyer Boris Max is blinded by his rigid adherence to Marxist theory, which ultimately causes him to view Bigger as a symbol rather than a human being.
3.4 Bigger’s “Blindness”: Details Bigger Thomas’s journey from a state of being "blind" to his own potential and identity to the final, painful realization of his existence as an individual.
4. Conclusion: Summarizes how the motif of "blindness" functions throughout the novel to reflect the systemic inability of society to recognize the complex, multifaceted nature of the Black subject.
5. Bibliography: Provides a comprehensive list of primary and secondary sources used in the analysis.
Keywords
Blindness, Native Son, Richard Wright, Bigger Thomas, Motif, Racism, Identity, Stereotype, Literary analysis, Marxism, Social criticism, Black Belt, Individualism, Prejudice, Double-consciousness
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the literary motif of "blindness" in Richard Wright’s Native Son, arguing that it serves as a metaphor for the characters' failure to see others as individuals, specifically within the context of racial prejudice in America.
What are the primary themes discussed in the text?
The central themes include the dehumanizing effects of racial stereotypes, the failure of performative charity, the impact of societal environment on identity, and the struggle for self-perception.
What is the ultimate research objective?
The objective is to demonstrate how the motif of blindness structures the novel's plot and characterizes the relationships between the protagonist, Bigger Thomas, and the white figures who shape his fate.
Which methodology is employed in this study?
The paper utilizes a literary-analytical approach, drawing upon definitions of motifs from literary theory and applying them to the character development and narrative arcs found in the novel.
What does the main body of the paper cover?
The main body systematically analyzes the "blindness" of specific characters—Mary and Jan, the Daltons, Boris Max, and finally Bigger himself—to illustrate how their subjective perceptions influence their interactions and ultimate failures.
How would you characterize this work through its keywords?
The work is characterized by terms such as systemic racism, identity formation, literary motif, and ideological blindness, reflecting its focus on both the novel’s structure and its sociopolitical critique.
How does Mrs. Dalton’s literal blindness relate to the motif?
The paper argues that Mrs. Dalton’s literal lack of sight serves as an ironic and powerful symbol for her broader, metaphorical failure to understand the lived reality of the Black community in Chicago.
Why does the author consider Boris Max to be "blind"?
Max is labeled as "blind" because his rigid application of Marxist ideology prevents him from seeing Bigger Thomas as an autonomous person with unique feelings, instead reducing him to a mere representative of the "black mass."
What is the significance of the quote "But what I killed for, I am!" in this context?
This quote marks the turning point where Bigger begins to overcome his "blindness," finally recognizing his own individuality and the reality of his existence despite his horrific actions.
In what way does the environment influence Bigger’s blindness?
The environment creates a "double-consciousness" (as described by W.E.B. Du Bois), where Bigger is forced to view himself through the eyes of a white society that denies his individuality, thereby blinding him to his own potential for a long period.
- Arbeit zitieren
- David Stehling (Autor:in), 2008, The Motif of “Blindness“ in Richard Wright’s 'Native Son', München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/205525
