Bigger Thomas vs. The Narrator in Invisible Man
Even though we just started reading Invisible Man, I can't help but find myself noticing the stark differences between the unknown narrator and Bigger Thomas. From the very beginning of Native Son, we are introduced to Bigger as a raucous man who enjoys taunting his family and likes to avoid his obligations toward his family. However, as the novel goes on, we are shown another side of Bigger, a somewhat "softer" side. Bigger puts up a front and acts as if he doesn't care about much but we as readers are told what Bigger is like behind that facade: a scared, guilt-ridden boy who is afraid of letting his family down. One of the themes in the novel that stood out to me was the toxic masculinity displayed by Bigger. For me, the defining moment of this theme was when Bigger got into a physical argument with his friend because he was scared to rob the store owned by the white man but he didn't want his friends to know he was scared. Because of this, I always had mixed feelings about Bigger. There were times when I felt bad for Bigger because of all the oppression he was facing but there were also times when I felt that everything that was happening was purely Bigger's fault. The latter was especially true for me when Bigger was hiding in the streets from the mobs of people who wanted him dead for the murder of Mary.
Contrary to Bigger in Native Son, the narrator in Invisible Man is more timid and submissive, or at least in the first few chapters that we read (excluding the prologue). While Bigger was not afraid to voice his opinions and get into arguments to protect his pride, the narrator in Invisible Man was afraid to disturb the "status quo" and was more concerned with pleasing the community (especially the white community) and learning how to balance his cultural and social responsibilities. Unlike the narrator in Invisible Man who undergoes a self-realization by the end of the novel, Bigger doesn't necessarily have any epiphanies that drastically changes his outlook on life. Bigger does, however, open up more towards the end of the book to "outsiders" like Jan.
The biggest difference between the two main characters, however, is how they accept their respective racial oppression and hardships in life. The narrator in Invisible Man has accepted his fate and uses the fact that he is ignored as a black man to his advantage. He is able to fight white people in the streets or steal energy from white power companies without being caught since no one acknowledges him as a full human being. On the flip side, Bigger feels repressed by the lack of chances for himself and gets upset. He has remorse and slight anger that he is unable to fly a plane since he knows that those opportunities are only available to white people. I think this is one of the defining differences between them because it determines how they react when placed in certain situations. If Bigger had more acceptance with his role and status within society, I think his life would have unfolded differently.
Contrary to Bigger in Native Son, the narrator in Invisible Man is more timid and submissive, or at least in the first few chapters that we read (excluding the prologue). While Bigger was not afraid to voice his opinions and get into arguments to protect his pride, the narrator in Invisible Man was afraid to disturb the "status quo" and was more concerned with pleasing the community (especially the white community) and learning how to balance his cultural and social responsibilities. Unlike the narrator in Invisible Man who undergoes a self-realization by the end of the novel, Bigger doesn't necessarily have any epiphanies that drastically changes his outlook on life. Bigger does, however, open up more towards the end of the book to "outsiders" like Jan.
The biggest difference between the two main characters, however, is how they accept their respective racial oppression and hardships in life. The narrator in Invisible Man has accepted his fate and uses the fact that he is ignored as a black man to his advantage. He is able to fight white people in the streets or steal energy from white power companies without being caught since no one acknowledges him as a full human being. On the flip side, Bigger feels repressed by the lack of chances for himself and gets upset. He has remorse and slight anger that he is unable to fly a plane since he knows that those opportunities are only available to white people. I think this is one of the defining differences between them because it determines how they react when placed in certain situations. If Bigger had more acceptance with his role and status within society, I think his life would have unfolded differently.
Yeah, I agree that these two characters are different, but in some ways they are similar. We've noted in class discussions that Invisible man sort of references Native Son. Norton and Dalton are pretty similar and Bigger and the narrator both drive for them. Also, both Bigger and the narrator act a certain way around white people like Norton and Dalton (the whole submissive & yes sir/no sir act). But even then it's more like the narrator acts this way because he wants to impress white people but Bigger acts this way out of fear of white people. In the end I see more differences than similarities between these two characters.
ReplyDeleteThat’s true, I didn’t think about the fact that they are both drivers for rich, important white older men. I definitely agree that although they both try to act very respectful toward white people, they are doing for different reasons. The Narrator wants Mr. Norton to like him and respect him while Bigger is trying to hide from Mr. Dalton that Mary has died.
DeleteI agree. The way that the two characters react to their situations is very different, and therefore produces two very different stories. However, I do think that the narrator in Invisible Man is starting to resemble Bigger a bit more than he did in the beginning. The narrator is beginning to realize what people actually think of him, and it leads him to become bitter as Bigger was throughout the book. I'm curious to see if the narrator will start to act in similar ways that Bigger did in Native Son.
ReplyDeleteI agree that in many ways Bigger and the Narrator form Invisible Man differ greatly. Moreover, I noticed one big difference between the two is how Bigger Thomas, even from the start, has a better grasp of how his race affects everything and how White people view Black people in society. It seems that, in the beginning, the Narrator in Invisible Man is incredibly naive to the true motives of these people who seem to "help" him whereas Bigger clearly sees the hierarchical distinction between Black and White people society has created. As the Narrator continues to change, I am curious to see how he differs from Bigger, or if there are any parallels we can make between the two characters.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first started reading Invisible Man, I also saw the big differences between the Narrator and Bigger Thomas. The narrator is way more timid and quiet than Bigger was. Though, now as I am further into the book, I see how the narrator is turning more similar to Bigger. The Narrator is becoming more vocal about his feelings and is standing up for himself way more than he did at the beginning of the novel.
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