Thanks for this interesting discussion. It’s a long time since I read “Native Son” for an American lit course. Bigger Thomas is a character one doesn’t forget. The wealthy couple were arrogant interlopers into Bigger’s world with no fear of a deadly outcome. The interaction did unnerve and confuse him. He knew their “coloring outside the lines” put him in peril. It’s interesting you mentioned “An American Tragedy.” They do have a somewhat similar plot device regarding a death (and strong mothers). However, Clyde Griffiths painstakingly plotted the demise of his “girlfriend” but didn’t directly execute the murder he had planned. [I think this is the first time I’ve heard anyone on book tube mention Dreiser. AAD is a favorite of mine.]
@ramblingraconteur1616
4 жыл бұрын
Mary Tumulty Yes, absolutely with you on the unseen fear that the interactions elicit for Bigger. He’s so terrified of putting a foot wrong. I’m glad you pointed out that difference between the accident Bigger is spontaneously part of and the fatal boating in American Tragedy. It’s interesting that Dreiser, like Booth Tarkington and evening Sinclair Lewis, has almost disappeared from modern reading consciousness. I’m not sure why that is. I hope your week has started well! Best, Jack
@EveryoneWhoReadsitMustConverse
4 жыл бұрын
Just great, Jack. Thanks for this dive into, yes, like you said, powerful work. Much subtle ideas that you Lit up vrey well. Much ❤️
@ramblingraconteur1616
4 жыл бұрын
Everyone who reads it must Converse Thanks, Noah. It’s a book that can be read so quickly that we miss all of the interesting shades Wright creates in the corners of the novel. Best, Jack
@bighardbooks770
4 жыл бұрын
Yes, this is a _very_ powerful and moving novel, indeed. Good one, Jack!
@DuncanMcCurdie
4 жыл бұрын
I need to read this, not sure why I haven’t yet. I love (as much as you can love a protest novel) If He Hollers Let Him Go by Chester Himes. Himes was probably influenced by Wright in the writing of the novel, or at the very least Wright created an audience for the protest novels of the 40s.
@ramblingraconteur1616
4 жыл бұрын
Duncan McCurdie Yes, I agree on the influence. Chester Himes takes the thriller/crime part of Native Son and goes off on the police procedural track. I’ve read a few of his Harlem detective novels, always interesting. Best, Jack
@DuncanMcCurdie
4 жыл бұрын
Rambling Raconteur the Harlem series is quite different to If He Hollers Let Him Go. If He Hollers is set in the L.A. Shipyards in the war as Roosevelt demanded African-American were used in the home industrial effort. It is an angry novel that deals with racism, colorism, class differences, communism, and baiting of black workers by white women. It is an incredible novel and I don’t think Hines captured this level of anger, frustration and hopelessness in any of his other novels.
@ramblingraconteur1616
4 жыл бұрын
Duncan McCurdie very interesting, more to check out!
@ann8838
3 жыл бұрын
You just helped me write my essay for AP Lit. Thank you so much!!!
@ramblingraconteur1616
3 жыл бұрын
Happy to help. I hope you have a great week. Best, Jack
@Ken-iu2zp
2 жыл бұрын
Hmmm. I have to read this book. Heard about it for years
@ramblingraconteur1616
2 жыл бұрын
This is a good one, hope you have a chance to try it. My father-in-law and I discuss it frequently. Cheers, Jack
@tramarthomas6105
3 жыл бұрын
You're cool!
@ramblingraconteur1616
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks! Hope you had a great weekend. Best, Jack
@TheCodeXCantina
4 жыл бұрын
I didn’t know you two were going to buddy read this. Must have missed those wrestling promos and rap battles. That’s normal now, right?
@ramblingraconteur1616
4 жыл бұрын
The CodeX Cantina definitely the new normal. It was very impromptu, but the book is a heady, harrowing experience.
@Mark-ye9pi
Жыл бұрын
Black Boy (1945)
@Mark-ye9pi
Жыл бұрын
Hemingway, Steven Vincent benêt, will Katherine, Edgar Allen Poe, bret hardt, Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway, Dorothy parker, O. Henry,
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