#comment8

[ccuniculusmolestus]

omg i thought you were just ignoring my tag lmao next time I'll just send you the post or something <3

NOOO NEVER I WOOULD NEVER IGNORE :( I even tried replying to your comment on the bunny faces unite but I think my acc is gflagged?? Idk whats going on ut I don't get all my notifications or anything anymore :(

[uwengl591]

Response to Writing as Self-Achievement and the Protest Novel by Marina

Sara,

This was an interesting take on Wright's struggle with his character Bigger and how to evoke a compelling novel in this time period. The one aspect that I argue that Wright actually does compellingly is the phrase you mentioned, "I swore to myself that if I ever wrote another book, no one would weep over it; that it would be so hard and deep that they would have to face it without the consolation of tears” (Wright, 454). From our class discussions and my personal close reading, I believe that Wright accomplished this statement because as readers, we were moved, yet struggled with Bigger's decisions and those who were affecting Bigger as well within the novel such as Mary Dalton and Jan. I personally was conflicted with my feelings towards Bigger, whether through sympathy or empathy, and to this moment I couldn't say which I feel more towards him. Which goes to show that by my internal struggle of identifying with Bigger, I didn't even think of feeling sad for him, or causation for me to "weep." Instead I was more focused on the societal implications that were surrounding Bigger and his family.

 Wright resonates with Bigger for the obvious reasons as we discussed in class last week and on Tuesday. However, this identification and sense of agency brings to mind the struggle Clare felt in Passing. I know this isn't a novel about Bigger struggling with race identification, but I cant help to think of Clare's oppression due to white culture (her husband calling her "nig" as a pet name) and Clare's struggle just to be seen as an individual. Another classmate touched on the idea of dehumanization being a reenacting theme in the novels we have read over the course of the semester, and arguably Wright lays out a very descriptive and emotional text that forces readers to struggle through whether on an emotional level or coming to terms with the fact that our "post-racial society" is in fact very much still racist, but on a subconscious level.

[uwengl591]

Sara Lawton, Comments 7 and 8

Comment 7: Response to The Many Bigger Thomases by Megan Hoffman

By Sara Lawton

Megan, I found your comparison between Bigger and Tracy really insightful. Bigger and Tracy are very different characters in that Bigger is forced into representing all the negative stereotypes about black men in Chicago, whereas Tracy is forced into representing all the “positive” stereotypes about white men in the South. The debate about whether those stereotypes are positive or not could be an entire post, so I will not go into detail here.

I also think that your phrase “inner tensions” is really helpful in describing those internal conflicts felt by many of the characters in the things we’ve read this semester.

I find “sex is the only way he knows how” in reference to Bigger a little problematic. It takes the responsibility off of him. While it is clear that Bigger is a victim of oppression, it is problematic to excuse him from accountability for what he did do. It could be argued that his actions are not his fault, or that they are not entirely his fault, however I believe that he must be held accountable to some degree, and I believe that all people know a better way to take control of their lives than rape. If they can actually implement better ways in reality is another question altogether. I read Bigger’s violence as an act of rebellion more so than an act of taking control. While he certainly was attempting to take control, I do not believe that destruction and violence are a way to take control. It may be a way to feel temporary control, or temporary dominance, but ultimately it is more so an act of rebellion.

Also, I know that as a class, we have decided that Tracy indeed did rape Nonnie, however I still believe that he tried and failed to “complete” it. I think that this might say something slightly different about these two men and the plots of the two novels. Tracy’s failure may indicate that he is unable to take control, while Bigger’s successful rebellion indicates that he is able to take control. This may lead to a negative reading of Strange Fruit, for example: Tracy was ineffective in taking control, and by rebelling he caused more problems than solving them.

Comment 8, Response to Richard Wright: Black Power by Frannie Gilligan

Thank you for posting about this, Frannie. I think that it is helpful to have the historical context of the author’s upbringing and later life to better understand the forces influencing their writing.

I was surprised to learn that Wright had travelled so much, and internationally as well. It sounds like some of those factors, specifically his travel, influenced his writing and his ability to look at America objectively.

Perhaps his upbringing also increased his desire for rebellion and led to increased support for and involvement with the Black Power Movement. Since he had suffered firsthand from some of the problems black Southerners faced in the early 20th century, like poverty, he had concrete experience that he wished to put a stop to.

I was surprised to learn that he was such an important figure in the Black Power Movement as well. I always find it surprising that these figures, who are undoubtedly important in a wide historical perspective, are often missing from our history textbooks in school. I do not believe I studied the Black Power Movement in detail when in middle school or high school, and it is always a little startling to realize how much I missed.

I think that knowing Wright’s background changes how I see Native Son. Bigger is a difficult character to read, especially when he acts out in violence.