Native Son

Super Short Summary

In Richard Wright’s debut novel, Native Son, Bigger Thomas, a young Black man full of anger and frustration about his limited life, takes a job as a driver for a wealthy white family. One night, after a series of increasingly tense interactions, he accidentally kills the daughter, Mary Dalton, and attempts to cover his tracks. Events spiral out of control, leading him to commit further crimes before being captured. The legal and social aftermath forces Bigger to confront the systemic racism and personal fears that have shaped his existence. The novel contains sensitive topics including racial oppression, violence, and sexual assault.