Native Son

Native Son tells the story of 20-year-old Bigger Thomas, a black youth living in utter poverty in a poor area on Chicago's South Side in the 1930s. Bigger Thomas lives in one room with his brother Buddy, his sister Vera, and their mother. Bigger hates his family because they suffer and he cannot do anything about it. He doesn't trust white people, but must meet with Mr. Dalton about a job because his family depends on him. When he finally gets the job, Bigger does not know how to behave in Dalton's luxurious house. Mr. Dalton and his blind wife use strange words. They try to be kind to Bigger, but actually make him uncomfortable. Bigger drives their daughter, Mary, and her boyfriend, Jan, around town, while they drink all night, and the nights ends unfortunately for Mary. Bigger tries to hide his responsibility and relates the events of the previous evening in a way calculated to throw suspicion on Jan, knowing Mr. Dalton dislikes Jan because he is a Communist. As the investigation closes in on Bigger he rushes further into a wrongdoing and flees because he does not trust anyone.