Native Son Themes

Question 1

Ignorance

Answer 1

The ignorance of the character of Mary Dalton is used as a metaphor by Wright in order to expose the ignorant prejudices which dominant white American society has about the lives of personalities of African Americans.

Question 2

Appearance vs Reality

Answer 2

The Daltons - Mr. Dalton in particular creates a righteous exterior and behaves as though he is helping to improve the lives of African Americans through giving them opportunities but in reality he is financially exploiting them.

Question 3

Guilt

Answer 3

A lack of guilt from the character is Bigger and his actions in murdering Mary Dalton and Bessie.

• Mr. Dalton’s guilt at the way he treats the African Americans causes him to try and bury his guilt by aiming to counter his wrongdoings through providing Bigger with a job opportunity.