Native Son critical quotes

Question 1

Ralph Ellison on Bigger and society

Answer 1

‘Bigger is not a hero but a product of society’s failures.’

Question 2

Irving Howe on Bigger

Answer 2

‘Bigger’s violence is not an act of rebellion, but of blind and brutal fear.’

Question 3

Joyce Ann Joyce on Mary Dalton

Answer 3

‘Mary’s tragic flaw is her inability to recognise the fear she instils in Bigger.’

Question 5

Trudier Harris on Boris Max

Answer 5

‘Max’s speech is powerful, but it can not save Bigger from a world designed to destroy him.’

Question 6

Richard Wright (Authors perspective) on Jan

Answer 6

‘Jan, despite his good intentions, initially approaches Bigger with the same blindness as other white liberals.’