Is communism the "solution"?
As James Baldwin argued, Native Son is a protest novel. Whether this fact inherently makes the book a failure to convey the complexity of race relations in America, I don’t really know. Richard Wright’s political intentions are obvious though, and in class we sort of fleshed out what he might be protesting. And while we briefly touched on it, I want to explore the idea that Wright is proposing communism as a “solution” to what he’s protesting. And perhaps this would not be surprising, as Wright supported the communist party at the time of the novel’s publication.
As a relevant side note, I’ve kind of debated whether it’s fair to talk about “solutions” to large social problems. From a personal standpoint, I’ve generally considered myself to be an analytical person, especially considering how my engineer father looks for a way to make literally anything more efficient. Then when I first attended a social justice meeting, I found the discussion very unusual and kind of unsubstantial. Now I see that you can’t really think of large social problems like racism and heat pipes the same way. This goes back exactly to James Baldwin’s problem with protests novels; they simplify problems to having a “solution”, when really they are far deeper and more complicated. But nontheless, Wright is protesting something, it makes sense that he might suggest a “solution” and it’s worthwile to explore what it may be.
I found that the white communist characters in the novel are portrayed rather sympathetically, unlike any of the other white characters. In the third part of the book, “Fate”, I wondered why Bigger ended up trusting Max. It’s completely unexpected since every white face he has encountered has been working against him, even if they have claimed to be helping him (Mr. Dalton, Mary, Jan at first). Why should he trust Max then? He ends up trusting him, and revealing things to him that he didn’t even admit to himself earlier. Is it there something about Max’s experience of being a Jew and a communist in a white, Christian, and capitalist America that makes him more understanding of Bigger’s suffering, and hence Bigger trusts him? But Max is still white, and he’s still representing Bigger (who you may or may not think is representative of all black Americans) at this trail. Perhaps I’m imposing too much of my own opinion on a topic that I have very little right to have a strong stance on, but isn’t that a uncomfortable outlook? Even if Bigger doesn’t fully understand Max’s argument, it’s a little hard to accept that a white character has to explain racial inequality in the book, even if we know that they are still Wright’s ideas. If this really is a problem with the novel, then it become a bit easier to accept Max’s position if we see him as a communist, and then a white man.
Perhaps there is also something about communism that appeals to Bigger, if not through his own consciousness then at least through his character. After he kills Mary, he ends up feeling power in his having done something. Earlier, he thinks about Hitler and Mussolini, mentioning how they are really doing something, ignoring the morality of what those things are. His need to take action of any kind to gain control, leading to these kinds of rather scary contemplations. Thinking about fascism like this is uncomfortable, I have to admit. And yet similarly, the communists in the novel end up being the only ones who are doing something to fight oppression. They directly help Bigger, and hence it makes sense that they appeal to him. Furthermore, Wright portrays them sympathetically by showing how Jan’s character develops. He goes from fetishizing Bigger and black culture in general, to being much more understanding and woke, as we’d say today. I wouldn’t doubt the significance of any of these characters as being symbols of why Wright supports communism, particularly as a “solution” to oppression. Would Wright want us to read Native Son as his "Communist Manifesto for Black America"? Just like most discussions in this class, I don’t really know, and there’s plenty more I need to learn.
As a relevant side note, I’ve kind of debated whether it’s fair to talk about “solutions” to large social problems. From a personal standpoint, I’ve generally considered myself to be an analytical person, especially considering how my engineer father looks for a way to make literally anything more efficient. Then when I first attended a social justice meeting, I found the discussion very unusual and kind of unsubstantial. Now I see that you can’t really think of large social problems like racism and heat pipes the same way. This goes back exactly to James Baldwin’s problem with protests novels; they simplify problems to having a “solution”, when really they are far deeper and more complicated. But nontheless, Wright is protesting something, it makes sense that he might suggest a “solution” and it’s worthwile to explore what it may be.
I found that the white communist characters in the novel are portrayed rather sympathetically, unlike any of the other white characters. In the third part of the book, “Fate”, I wondered why Bigger ended up trusting Max. It’s completely unexpected since every white face he has encountered has been working against him, even if they have claimed to be helping him (Mr. Dalton, Mary, Jan at first). Why should he trust Max then? He ends up trusting him, and revealing things to him that he didn’t even admit to himself earlier. Is it there something about Max’s experience of being a Jew and a communist in a white, Christian, and capitalist America that makes him more understanding of Bigger’s suffering, and hence Bigger trusts him? But Max is still white, and he’s still representing Bigger (who you may or may not think is representative of all black Americans) at this trail. Perhaps I’m imposing too much of my own opinion on a topic that I have very little right to have a strong stance on, but isn’t that a uncomfortable outlook? Even if Bigger doesn’t fully understand Max’s argument, it’s a little hard to accept that a white character has to explain racial inequality in the book, even if we know that they are still Wright’s ideas. If this really is a problem with the novel, then it become a bit easier to accept Max’s position if we see him as a communist, and then a white man.
Perhaps there is also something about communism that appeals to Bigger, if not through his own consciousness then at least through his character. After he kills Mary, he ends up feeling power in his having done something. Earlier, he thinks about Hitler and Mussolini, mentioning how they are really doing something, ignoring the morality of what those things are. His need to take action of any kind to gain control, leading to these kinds of rather scary contemplations. Thinking about fascism like this is uncomfortable, I have to admit. And yet similarly, the communists in the novel end up being the only ones who are doing something to fight oppression. They directly help Bigger, and hence it makes sense that they appeal to him. Furthermore, Wright portrays them sympathetically by showing how Jan’s character develops. He goes from fetishizing Bigger and black culture in general, to being much more understanding and woke, as we’d say today. I wouldn’t doubt the significance of any of these characters as being symbols of why Wright supports communism, particularly as a “solution” to oppression. Would Wright want us to read Native Son as his "Communist Manifesto for Black America"? Just like most discussions in this class, I don’t really know, and there’s plenty more I need to learn.
I really enjoyed reading this post! I like how you pointed out Bigger's quick trust in Max. I also found that to be strange for Bigger's character. I also agree with your point about having him represent racism despite the fact that he is white. Possible theory: Wright wanted to incorporate communism as a "solution" but it didn't seem to make sense with Bigger's character (given that he felt uncomfortable with Mary and Jan in the beginning). Thus, he justified bringing in Max and building that trust.
ReplyDeleteThis post (and the novel itself) made me question my stance on communism. I've always been taught that this is the wrong way to run a country and a deadly threat to the freedoms of the common people. However, I can see how it would appeal to an oppressed group of people under a capital regime. Having a system that enforces equity of opportunity makes sense in a lot of ways. Like you said, this more accepting view of communism is illustrated in Max (and Jan after his character development). In any case, this is definitely a difficult topic to tackle, so nice work!
ReplyDeleteOne criticism I have heard countless times of communism is that a perfect communist society could never be achieved, and while I won't comment on that, I will say that perhaps communism as an idea isnt as bad as we have been taught through history to believe. Communism as an ideal has been used as a way to help underrepresented/oppressed people (I would say bigger fits into both categories hence the "black communist manifesto idea") rise up to achieve some form of brighter future. This idea of true communism may not be a distant island, but rather the horizon, a place we hope to get to and move towards, but will never get to it?
Delete(I'm trying to put my words in an understandable order but it's hard)
We're always taught that Communism is bad because it directly opposes the American dream of working your share and getting paid what you're owed. Also throughout history individuals have used and abused a communist system to be corrupt and hurt their people. However, as Silas says, Communism is an ideal for the common folk, and as an ideology its not that bad. Its mostly been a problem of those in power using power for harmful gains. If Wright believes more in the ideal of Communism, I would see no problem with instating a system of equality across the country, which would appeal to many of the minority groups in the US. Because in Native son an element of Capitalism does make a villain of Mr. Dalton who extorts Bigger's family for high rent causing them to be in poverty.
DeleteGreat post! I agree that as a white man, Max isn't the best person to represent Bigger but he is a better (and more realistic) alternative that a state attorney. I think rather than using Max as a champion of communism, Wright is tries to give readers a more nuanced depiction of communism through Jan and Mary. When he wrote Native Son, Wright was a member of the communist party but he eventually left so it makes sense that he would want to portray the power of some of their ideas but also their faults.
ReplyDeleteOk I wrote a comment and then it deleted my comment and I'm frustrated!!! Here is attempt number 2: I'm struggling with the same issues you are with this. I'm not sure it's fair for Max to represent black America. How is Max able to understand so well what Bigger cannot about Bigger's own circumstances, even if Max is a communist and Jewish? Just because communism may offer a possible "solution" to the issues of poverty, inequality, and white supremacy, is Max really able to speak to the specific challenges black Americans face at the hands of capitalism? At the same time, maybe Max isn't meant to represent all black Americans, but what he represents is more abstract - equality, activism, compassion, and understanding. Maybe? I'm not sure and I'm confused. Thanks for the food for thought!
ReplyDeleteI think that it isn't correct for Max to represent Bigger in this scenario, but it wasn't like anyone else was going to be there for him. After all Max's communism and Bigger's problem of racism do share some of the same problems. They both have a problem with people having an unfair advantage or disadvantage just because they were born the way they were. It's actually a plus that Max is white because he can better translate the problems that Bigger faces, and doesn't have to face the stigma that because he's black he doesn't know what he's talking about.
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