Existentialism is a belief that each individual is a free agent who can determine their own destiny through willful acts. Contrary to this, environmentaldeterminism claims that society molds individuals and has no personal motive. Native Son is Richard Wright’s novel. Bigger, a young black male, is constantly threatened by oppressive societal tendencies. However, he is prone to determine his identity through his actions. An existential morality encourages behaviour that opposes social norms. A natural moral code leads to conformity. Bigger is not a product a oppressive and fear-stricken society. But his basic need to identify himself motivates him.
Wright suggests that Bigger’s behavior and existence are determined by ingrained social tendencies. This implies that Bigger’s free will is overridden and corrupted by environmental determinism. Bigger’s communist lawyer Max asserts that society instilled fear and stripped blacks of their individuality. Max believes that Bigger is fearful because of the white society. These social forces arise from a desire for power, superiority, and this comes at the cost black pride and individualism. Instead, blacks become “powerless pieces” in a social-game, which whites view as a leverage tool to improve their social standing. Bigger is raised to fear and hate whites and has a tendency to be naive. He believed he didn’t exist physically at that time. Bigger is a product of an oppressive, degenerate society that promotes self-hatred which eventually leads to him committing the crimes he has. He is raised in fear and feels ashamed. Bigger’s actions may be a result of society, but he is forced to take responsibility for them in order to establish his individualism. Bigger claims he is motivated by personal reasons and says, “What I kill for me is. . . A man can kill because he is trying to do something. (429). Bigger doesn’t blame society for his mistakes. Instead, he adopts an intentionality mentality to create individual identity. Bigger believes that he has killed “for some reason”, which he then demonstrates as an existential reality. He does not know that the “something”, for which he is willing to die, is the deep fear of hatred that he’s always felt. Bigger tells society that he’s not responsible for his crimes and instead blames the world. Bigger believed he could control his destiny by adopting this attitude of accountability (156). He is now in control of his future and past, and he refuses to let society dictate his actions. Bigger ignores what society thinks and accepts his actions as they are. This was how he had made it all happen. These two murders were some of the most significant events in his entire life. “He was living deeply and truly, regardless of what others may think.” (239). Bigger was shaped throughout his life by the fear of society. To get rid of his fear, Bigger renounces his old self-consciousness. Wright uses this shift toward existentialism for Bigger to demonstrate his desire to identify. Bigger finally takes responsibility of his actions to escape social constraints.
Bigger uses an existential view to understand morality and justify his actions. He abandons the standard morality view and develops his own system of ethics, which is based on feelings and intuition. This allows him to justify and embrace his individuality. This is demonstrated by his refusal to attend church (339). Bigger has a different view of morality than his peers and church provides security for the black characters. Not in hope or forgiveness, but in the assurance and comfort of his acts of murder, Bigger believes he has identity. He isn’t bound by any other person’s standards. Bigger declares his desire to live in the moment and vows to do so. He accepts his mistakes and takes full responsibility for them. Bigger uses this to justify his actions. He creates his own set, which is different from society’s.
Bigger may be a product of a racist, twisted society. However, his basic need for identity, individualism, and self-worth drives him to embrace actions that most people would be embarrassed of. Richard Wright compares existentialism and naturalism to show the consequences of a racist society. Native Son shows that the human natural desire to be superior and have power often leads to hatred and furthers hate.
