4/15/09
"At times he could hear the faint sound of the winter wind blowing outdoors...'How long will it last?'"(379).
This quote is significant because it explains how Bigger isn't really sure about the single most important thing (himself) and how he now feels and knows that he isn't going to make it much farther. He says he hears the faint sound of the winter snow blowing outdoors. He knows that he hasn't got much time left before the "snow" breaks through the window and blows him away completely. It seems as if although Bigger is opening up more to the world and realizing things that it has taken his whole life to realize, he is still unsure about one thing; himself. Not too long before this Bigger wanted to spend more time with others, and at the very least, gain some time left in his life. Now it seems that he wants to throw in the towel and lock the doors before the real "storm" comes.
If Max, as well as Buckley were black, how might this whole situation differ from its current state?
Could we see Buckley as the savage animal?
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Native Son pg. 363
4/14/09
"His face rested against the bars and he felt tears roll down his cheeks. His wet lips tasted salt"(363).
This quote is significant because it resembles how Bigger is more of a white man than the black man he was born. When he licks the tears off of his lips he tastes salt. I think the taste of salt sort of represents the white force, just like "snow" did earlier on in the novel. He sort of sees things the same way that white people would, i.e. He thinks of his peoples leaders as rich black men, and sort of similar to every other black person on the South side, with just a bit more money. I also thinks that this might foreshadow his future death perhaps in the sense that the salty tears will "drown him," the ideal white person will overcome and flood his life.
If he doesn't really care anymore and doesn't want anyone to worry about him, than why is he focused on changing peoples views of him as an individual?
Will Max and Bigger's plan of begging for mercy work?
"His face rested against the bars and he felt tears roll down his cheeks. His wet lips tasted salt"(363).
This quote is significant because it resembles how Bigger is more of a white man than the black man he was born. When he licks the tears off of his lips he tastes salt. I think the taste of salt sort of represents the white force, just like "snow" did earlier on in the novel. He sort of sees things the same way that white people would, i.e. He thinks of his peoples leaders as rich black men, and sort of similar to every other black person on the South side, with just a bit more money. I also thinks that this might foreshadow his future death perhaps in the sense that the salty tears will "drown him," the ideal white person will overcome and flood his life.
If he doesn't really care anymore and doesn't want anyone to worry about him, than why is he focused on changing peoples views of him as an individual?
Will Max and Bigger's plan of begging for mercy work?
Friday, April 10, 2009
Native Son Blog 3/3
4/10/09
"I can die without a cross!"
This quote interests me because the main goal for Bigger was to die with pride, or die a hated man. Also when he was in jail he was searching for some form of hope. It seemed that when he was initially caught and put in jail, everything he used to "save" him or cover up his wrong doings, and even motivated him died at that instant. When the priest offered him the cross I thought that religion and faith was the only thing that could give him hope as he "dies." Following the guidelines in which he wanted to die by, he cant really die without a cross because the cross was the only thing that helped him to be hopeful again.
Why wouldn't the priest give up on Bigger thus far?
Will Bigger die?
"I can die without a cross!"
This quote interests me because the main goal for Bigger was to die with pride, or die a hated man. Also when he was in jail he was searching for some form of hope. It seemed that when he was initially caught and put in jail, everything he used to "save" him or cover up his wrong doings, and even motivated him died at that instant. When the priest offered him the cross I thought that religion and faith was the only thing that could give him hope as he "dies." Following the guidelines in which he wanted to die by, he cant really die without a cross because the cross was the only thing that helped him to be hopeful again.
Why wouldn't the priest give up on Bigger thus far?
Will Bigger die?
Native Son Blog 2/3
4/10/09
"Mr. Dalton, do you think that the terrible conditions under which the Thomas family lived in one of your houses may in some way be related to the death of your daughter?"
"I don't know what you mean"(328).
This quote is important because is explains how clueless and how prejudice Mr. Dalton has been all along. He begins making excuses as to why he had built living quarters from the black away from the whites and certain parts of chicago. During this interrogation we learn that Mr. Dalton is just like most other whites who fooled people into believing that he was helping the blacks, when he was really discriminating against them. Also, he is so blind to the effect that what he created might have on himself and his family. Mary died arguably because Bigger lived in an unstable environment and because Mr. Dalton did not want the blacks to "move up" he has potentially caused his daughters death unconsciously (arguably).
Would Mr. Daltons confession change any white people opinions about him and the "white force?"
Is Max really trying to help Bigger or clear Jans name and make Bigger suffer?
"Mr. Dalton, do you think that the terrible conditions under which the Thomas family lived in one of your houses may in some way be related to the death of your daughter?"
"I don't know what you mean"(328).
This quote is important because is explains how clueless and how prejudice Mr. Dalton has been all along. He begins making excuses as to why he had built living quarters from the black away from the whites and certain parts of chicago. During this interrogation we learn that Mr. Dalton is just like most other whites who fooled people into believing that he was helping the blacks, when he was really discriminating against them. Also, he is so blind to the effect that what he created might have on himself and his family. Mary died arguably because Bigger lived in an unstable environment and because Mr. Dalton did not want the blacks to "move up" he has potentially caused his daughters death unconsciously (arguably).
Would Mr. Daltons confession change any white people opinions about him and the "white force?"
Is Max really trying to help Bigger or clear Jans name and make Bigger suffer?
Native Son Blog 1/3
4/10/09
"The word had become flesh. For the first time in his life a white man became a human being to him; and the reality of Jan's humanity came in a stab of remorse; he had killed what this man loved and had hurt him"(289).
This is significant because this is the first time where Bigger views a white person, Jan, as a human being and not a member of this overruling white "force." We begin to see that Bigger is changing in a positive sense, he feels guilty and horrible for killing the only person Jan loved and by hurting Jan himself. He is finally starting to divide those people who are naturally "good" and naturally against him and black people, he is making right choices.
If you were Jan would you honestly want to help the person who murdered the only person you love?
Is Bigger beginning to accept his faith and use it now when he need it the most?
"The word had become flesh. For the first time in his life a white man became a human being to him; and the reality of Jan's humanity came in a stab of remorse; he had killed what this man loved and had hurt him"(289).
This is significant because this is the first time where Bigger views a white person, Jan, as a human being and not a member of this overruling white "force." We begin to see that Bigger is changing in a positive sense, he feels guilty and horrible for killing the only person Jan loved and by hurting Jan himself. He is finally starting to divide those people who are naturally "good" and naturally against him and black people, he is making right choices.
If you were Jan would you honestly want to help the person who murdered the only person you love?
Is Bigger beginning to accept his faith and use it now when he need it the most?
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Native Son pg. 286
4/8/09
"Son, promise me yuh'll stop hatin' long enuff fer Gawd's love t' come inter yo' heart"(285).
We get the sense here that Bigger isn't really a religious man, even though raised up in a religious environment (his mother). This is important because even though the "curtain" has been pushed aside Brigger still refuses to accept one of the only people or ideas that could "set him free" from his current situation. Although he wishes for hope, he doesn't wish it from anything which is sort of weird considering that the majority of the worlds population would turn to God/prayer in a situation like this.
Do you think Bigger has any faith at all in God or in himself at this point?
Why is Bigger now "unprotected" or unable to hide behind anything?
"Son, promise me yuh'll stop hatin' long enuff fer Gawd's love t' come inter yo' heart"(285).
We get the sense here that Bigger isn't really a religious man, even though raised up in a religious environment (his mother). This is important because even though the "curtain" has been pushed aside Brigger still refuses to accept one of the only people or ideas that could "set him free" from his current situation. Although he wishes for hope, he doesn't wish it from anything which is sort of weird considering that the majority of the worlds population would turn to God/prayer in a situation like this.
Do you think Bigger has any faith at all in God or in himself at this point?
Why is Bigger now "unprotected" or unable to hide behind anything?
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Native Son end of book 2
4/7/09
"Kill that black ape!"(270).
This is significant because it relates back to when Jan and Mary were driving through the "black" side of Chicago near where Bigger lived. His neighborhood was kind of like a zoo, and Mary and Jan were the tourists looking at the human exhibits. When they say to "kill that black ape" it is because that is all the white people know them as. Black people sort of live in a cage in their society and get kept in that cage by the white "force." What also surprises me is that some of the black people where Bigger lives are sort of stooping themselves to the white level. Some people think that Bigger should suffer for his crime and others do not, and that it is because of people like Bigger that black people have a bad reputation. I think that this is what also drives Bigger insane, is that he doesn't really know what he is. Whether he is an "ape" or an average Negro/human being.
What do you think might happen to the black community if they find out that Bigger killed Mary?
Do you think Biggers mother and or family would agree with the white people or some of the black people on Biggers stance?
"Kill that black ape!"(270).
This is significant because it relates back to when Jan and Mary were driving through the "black" side of Chicago near where Bigger lived. His neighborhood was kind of like a zoo, and Mary and Jan were the tourists looking at the human exhibits. When they say to "kill that black ape" it is because that is all the white people know them as. Black people sort of live in a cage in their society and get kept in that cage by the white "force." What also surprises me is that some of the black people where Bigger lives are sort of stooping themselves to the white level. Some people think that Bigger should suffer for his crime and others do not, and that it is because of people like Bigger that black people have a bad reputation. I think that this is what also drives Bigger insane, is that he doesn't really know what he is. Whether he is an "ape" or an average Negro/human being.
What do you think might happen to the black community if they find out that Bigger killed Mary?
Do you think Biggers mother and or family would agree with the white people or some of the black people on Biggers stance?
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Native Son pg.186
4/1/09
"All right. They white folks. They done killed plenty of us"(178).
This quote is significant because we finally see Bigger trying to make sense of the chaotic episode he has just created. He tries to blame the death of Mary Dalton on white people or this white "force" because the have killed many of his people. I think this is sort of a turning point for Bigger in the sense that his emotions are now beginning to become very unstable, and it seems as if he is sort of regretting killing Mary in the first place as it has sent waves of torture to him/his mind.
Do you think Bigger might get tired of playing this "hide-and-go-seek" game with the Dalton's or keep on lying?
Why does Bigger keep looking in the furnace if he doesn't see anything each time he looks?
"All right. They white folks. They done killed plenty of us"(178).
This quote is significant because we finally see Bigger trying to make sense of the chaotic episode he has just created. He tries to blame the death of Mary Dalton on white people or this white "force" because the have killed many of his people. I think this is sort of a turning point for Bigger in the sense that his emotions are now beginning to become very unstable, and it seems as if he is sort of regretting killing Mary in the first place as it has sent waves of torture to him/his mind.
Do you think Bigger might get tired of playing this "hide-and-go-seek" game with the Dalton's or keep on lying?
Why does Bigger keep looking in the furnace if he doesn't see anything each time he looks?
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