1. NATIVE SON by RICHARD WRIGHT
BOOK I DISCUSSION
NATIVE SON by RICHARD WRIGHT

2. Imagine…
Imagine being stereotyped as unintelligent because of your skin color.
Imagine being forced to respond with “Yes sir/ma’am” to any person of the opposite race.
Imagine being called an insulting racial slur to your face every day of your life.
Imagine getting poor food, housing, education, and biased trials because of your skin color.
Imagine having parents or grandparents that spent their lives serving and being abused by another race, which is now abusing you.
Free write for 5 minutes: How would you feel?

3. FEAR Write down something of which you are truly afraid.
Discuss how you react at the thought of your fear. Is it a true phobia, or just something with which you’re uncomfortable? Discuss (on your paper).
What are the different types of fear? Make categories.

4. “FEAR”
How do we act as a result of fear? In other words, what kind of action do we take in situations in which we are afraid?

5. FEAR in Native Son
The title of Book I is obviously appropriate. Briefly explain why, and find at least three quotations in your book that support the notion that fear is a driving force in Bigger’s life.
What is Bigger's biggest fear at this point?

6. OPENING SCENE
What is the significance of the opening scene? Why does Wright open the novel with it?
Why the rat? Potential symbolic value?
First impressions of Bigger at this point? Why does the author do this?