"Separate but Equal"
Richard Wright protests many points in Native Son . However, I believe that the overarching belief being protested is the “separate but equal” ideology. Throughout the book, Wright continues to make a clear distinction between white “things” and black “things” such as materialistic items and opportunities. At the beginning of the book, despite being brief we see a glimpse of Bigger’s secret envy to become a pilot, support his family and be successful during his conversation with Gus. But, he says that only white men get those opportunities. Quick interjection before I continue with my point: When Mrs. Dalton asks Bigger if he wants to go back to school (with the intension of making it happen) Bigger declines the offer. My interpretation of this is that having never been presented with opportunity, Bigger doesn’t know when to take it. His entire life has been filled with rejection and when he experiences opportunity, he does the only thing he knows how to do, rejects it. There is