Richard Wright marked the beginning of a new era in black fiction. He was one of

the first American writers of his time to confront his readers with the effects of racism.

Wright had a way of telling his reader about his own life through his writing. He is best

known for his novel, Native Son, which is deeply rooted in his personal life and the times

in which he lived. This paper will discuss this outstanding American writer, his highly

acclaimed novel, Native Son, and how his life influenced his writing.

Richard Nathaniel Wright, was born on September 4, 1908 in Roxie, Mississippi.

His father was a sharecropper and his mother a schoolteacher. In search for better

employment his father moved the family to Memphis, Tennessee. While in Memphis, his

father worked as a night porter in a hotel and his mother worked as a cook for a

Caucasian family. Shortly after their move to Memphis, Wright’s father deserted his

family. His mother then tried to find any work she could find to support her family. Then,

at the age of seven his mother became ill and was unable to financially support her family.

As a result, the family had to move to Jackson, Mississip

reject the stereotypic notions of race, class, creed, or any other prejudice and to accept

actions; never had his will been so free as in this night and day of fear and

beaten fathers not to expect much from America. Their dreams of power

back; and never in all his life, with this black skin of his, had two worlds,

closely reflected in naturalistic fiction. The use of naturalism was useful to Wright in a

consequences of his actions (Wright).

Some common words found in the essay are:
Native Son, Richard Wright, Bigger Thomas, Richard Wright’s, Children Walker, Tennessee Memphis, Max Bigger’s, Rev Hammond, Irving Howe, Mary’s Bigger, native son, richard wright, novel native son, novel native, bigger thomas, consequences actions, richard wright’s, highly acclaimed, communist party, section native, rev hammond, section native son, life writing novel, writers confront readers, writing novel native,
Approximate Word count = 2636
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page double spaced)