Blindness in native son essays

Blindness in native son essays In Richard Wrights novel Native Son, the characters of Ma Thomas, Britten and Mary Dalton are blind to their surroundings. Ma Thomas does not want to admit her son performed an action that caused a tragedy for the Dalton family. For example, during a visit to Bigger in jail, Ma sees Mrs. Dalton and emotionally states: Please, Mam ... dont let em kill my boy! He aint never had a chance! Hes just a poor boy! (348). Ma is aware that her son is more than likely going to be sentenced to death because he murdered a white young lady, and later denied it by saying it was another man he had left her with. Ma becomes selfish when she approaches Mrs. Dalton pleading for her son not to be sentenced to death. Ma does not take into consideration all the heartbreak Bigger has put upon the Dalton family. In addition, Ma confronts Bigger and tells him to pray to God: your poor old Ma wants you to promise her... When aint nobody round you, when you alone, get on your knees and tell God everything. Ask him to guide you... son promise me youll go to him, (345). Ma wants nothing to happen to her son. Being blind to the emotions of others, Ma thinks that Bigger is the only person who is being affected. She forgets that the Daltons are the ones who lost a daughter because of Biggers action. Ma also feels that if her son were to turn to God, everything will be okay. In Mas opinion, even if Bigger were to be sentenced to death, if he has turned to God, a part of his soul would be saved. The Thomas family has had its share of hardships and this is just another obstacle they need to overcome. Britten is blind when he thinks that Bigger is not trustworthy because of the color of his skin. For example, when Mary was missing and Britten came into the Dalton house to question Bigger, Britten went straight to Peggy and asked: How ...