The Power of Fears

Though Bigger comes from a family in need of his financial support, he is less than thrilled to work. Bigger is so fearful of their situation at home, he blocks it out so he does not have to deal with it the same as the rest of his family. Bigger's dislike for working though could not be out weighed by his fear of the white population, which caused his to back out of the robbery of a white business. Though Mr. Dalton seems generous in his ways of helping Bigger, he seems to actually be trying to ease his own conscience for his exploitation of the black population in Chicago. The Dalton's deep fear and prejudice against communists is more powerful than their common sense at times, which is why Bigger tried to blame communist's for Mary's murder. Which fear seems to be more detrimental to the characters lives? Do you think it is strange that Bigger's fear of white men was used in exploiting the communist fear in another man? Bigger's fear seems to be taking a snowball effect on his life causing more and more problems. Do you think its possible for Bigger to turn his life around or is it too late?

Richard Wright as Novel's Narrator

Richard Wright's narrative style starkly contrasts with Hemingway's lean prose, which was guided by his iceberg theory. Native Son is also different from Faulkner's 'stream of consciousness' novels, as Wright uses the omniscient narrator to explain the protagonist's thoughts. While all three of these authors wrote about deeply personal subjects, Richard Wright seems to be injecting the most blatant, direct commentary into his novel, by his narrator's analysis of Bigger Thomas' psychology.

"The moment a situation became so that it exacted something of him, he rebelled. That was the way he lived; he passed his days trying to defeat or gratify powerful impulses in a world he feared." Pg. 42

Because the issues brought up in this novel are intended to make a political statement, it seems that the narrator's voice is that of Wright himself. If one agrees with that assumption, what does the overall tone of the novel seem to be (only analyzing part 1, "Fear") ? Is it complete sympathy for Bigger and total condemnation of whites in society or is it a call for black men to be more ambitious and rise above their surroundings, as Wright himself did? To what degree does the narrator place responsibility on Bigger for his own actions?

Extra Credit

Hi all,

If you are interested in moving ahead, I’ve provided information on a close reading extra credit exercise that I will assign next week. It is due on March 10^th and is worth 2% out of 100% of your first paper grade. Even if you are not interested in trying this survey now, you will have ample opportunity to do so in the next 2 weeks.

Please try all three available exercises (using your First name and last initial before your own comments):

http://closeread.pbwiki.com/

The password is english (all lower case letters)

Once completed, please fill out an anonymous survey here:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=927503372539

There is nothing quite as wonderful as money...

Jason is linked to money. It pervades his thought and actions. He has sure ways to money, such as his job and the monthly checks from Caddy. He feels an emotional loss to lost money. This shows in his regret involving the money gained from the pasture and then wasted on Quentin’s college tuition. If Jason loves money so, why does he keep on betting poorly on the stock market even though he always looses. “To just get my money back” is one excuse he uses, but it is just that, an excuse. If he could he would get far more than just what he lost. Could it be a gambling addiction of sorts? Is he too uneducated to realize that he cannot or probably will not ever win?

Playing Games or Just Plain Wasting Time?

Jason is constantly playing games with the other characters in the story. He steals money from Caddy and only allows her to see Miss Quentin for a few brief seconds, he burns tickets to the show in front of Luster, and he consistently lies to Earl about why he was out of the store for so long. It is believed that self-loathing individuals do this to boost their own confidence. However, if Jason is so focused on his future gain, why do you believe he still feels fulfilled when wasting time to torment others? Do you believe his true focus is on his future or on revenging the ‘wrongs’ from his past? Does Jason have the power to gain respect and status or are all of his actions purposely self-destructive?

Coping with Difficult Times

Per Ryan B.

Coping with difficult times

From the progress we have made in the book thus far, it seems that each member of the Compson family has a method of coping with the harsh realities of their daily lives. Mr. Compson coped by drinking himself to death. Benjy’s attempt to cope is to find some comfort in somewhat pleasant snapshots of the past. Jason Compson steals Miss Quentin’s child support money and copes by soliciting prostitutes and gambling on the cotton market. Mrs. Compson copes by developing an overwhelming sense of self-pity and detachment. Miss Quentin, along with Caddy, copes by engaging in promiscuous sexual endeavors. Quentin, who seems to have no other way, soothes himself by committing suicide.

Which character seems to do the best job of dealing with the emotional gravity of their situation in life?

The Compson Brothers and Their Relationships with Caddy

The Jason section begins with the quote "Once a bitch always a bitch I say." This comment introduces the reader to Jason's views on women, and the attitude and disrespect he holds for almost everybody in his life. This attitude is in stark contrast with that of Quentin's, who was very concerned with the treatment of women and held hostility for anybody who disrespected them. Whereas Caddy symbolizes honor for Quentin, for Jason she means a lost future and a ruined life. Jason seems to project that onto Miss Quentin, who I believe Jason blames for everything that has gone wrong with his future. It's interesting to compare the treatment of Caddy between the two brothers, as Benjy found his only comfort in her, Quentin loved her strongly and wanted to protect her, and Jason simply despises her. What are your opinions of Jason? Do you believe his emotionally damaging past is an excuse for his behavior? What message do you think Faulkner was trying to send by contrasting the lives and thoughts of these brothers?