Study On The Image Of Criminal In Native Son

Richard Wright created the criminal image of Thomas Bigger in Native Son.Academic studies on Bigger ’s image mostly focus on his black identity and discuss the value and significance of "new image of black".On this basis,this paper takes Bigger ’s criminal identity as the entry point,analyzes the richness of the criminal image and the reason of Bigger ’s crime to solve the mystery of Bigger ’s crime,analyzes Wright’s artistic method of constructing the criminal image,and explores the realistic and literary significance of the criminal image.On the basis of close reading of the text,this paper combines the theories of post-colonialism and cultural criticism to interpret the criminal image in Native Son.The whole paper is divided into five parts: the introduction summarizes the research status at home and abroad,introduces the significance of the topic selection and research methods.The first chapter focuses on Bigger ’s two characteristics of fear and violence to analyze the multidimensional nature of Bigger ’s image as a criminal.It mainly analyzes his personality characteristics from his external actions and reveals the essential connotation behind Bigger ’s dual personality.And by analyzing the connection between fear and violence,it reveals the alienation process of Bigger.The second chapter analyzes the complex reasons of Bigger ’s crime,including the economic conditions,the reasons of racist discourse erosion of social aspects,as well as the reasons of desire and impulse,human nature distortion of personal aspects.Due to the apartheid system,black people suffered from the exploitation and oppression of white people.In addition,racist discourse constantly demonized and belittling black people and promoted white supremacy,which deepened the hatred between black people and white people.Under the dual action of Bigger ’s desire and human depravity,evil occurs.The third chapter from narrative strategies and symbolism aspects analyzes art construction method of criminal image,Wright uses clever narrative strategy guides readers to make ethical judgment in favor of Bigger,which deepens the tragedy of Bigger ’s characters.At the same time,Wright used symbolism to reveal the race and other practical issues,reveal the change process of Bigger by showing his inner thought,so that the novel shows profound spiritual connotation.The fourth chapter analyzes the social and literary significance of the image of criminal.The social significance is reflecting contradictions between African-Americans and American society,making people reflect on violence,abandon their prejudice against white people and reexamining race relations.The literary significance of the novel lies in the tragedy of Bigger ’s individual life,the dilemma of his identity,Wright’s deconstruction of white discourse by explaining that American society should be responsible for Bigger ’s crimes and transforming white discourse.Wright reveals the process of alienation of human nature and the tragedy of individual life by shaping the criminal image of Bigger,which shows Wright’s concern for social reality and individual life as a black man and a writer.