Bigger's own home is estranged for the young man who feels out of place and unwanted. Although "he [hates] his family, [it is] because he knows that they are suffering and that he is powerless to help them," (13) his pride in his own self worth, is never more present then when he is around his family. He considers himself better than them; why should he have to go work just to grovel like them? Why should he have to go to church just to make himself feel happy? What is the use? Although "he knows that his mother is waiting for him to give an account of himself and he [hates] her for that" (96) and although feeling superior to that of his mother, the continual presence of her authority weighs on him everywhere he goes. The lack of free

Bigger Thomas grew up in an environment that neglected him and had friends who did not know the real Bigger. He was continually kept down by society who he believed to be controlled by the whites however all the while wanting to be apart of that society. Depending on the area in which Bigger is in it dictates the behavior and personality he reflects. While at home he acted tough, the would-be hero. Around his friends he was a hotheaded, trouble-maker. In the presence of the powerful whites, he was quiet and introverted. But when all alone in jail Bigger did not impress anyone and was himself just a young man who was kept down all his life, who just wanted a fair chance like the whites had. Richard Wright's achievement of setting within Bigger's existence plays a decisive role in portraying how society shapes one's personality in his novel Native Son.

dom he enjoys is parallel to that of the restrictions that are placed on him by society and no matter where he turns, he is faced with restrictions. Even after playing a simple prank on his sister, his mother reacts by declaring, "'Bigger sometimes I wonder why I birthed you'"(11) adding to the already seemingly broken man. This obvious show of misunderstanding is that of which Bigger is forced to deal with his whole life. And all that Bigger wants to do is "to merge himself with others and be a part of this world, to lose himself in it so he could find himself, to be allowed a chance to live like others, even though he was black" (226) and not have to continue being the black boy who is expected to conform to the accepted black stereotype. This longing to be free from the constraints of his home-life expresses Bigger's need to be free from the constraints of which society holds over him. Bigger also is ashamed in regards to his lifestyle where "all slept in one room…[and] pots could be heard rattling all over the house" and the air was full of the malodor of chained life to a single routine (100). This chaotic life is not one of desire for the young man who wants to be alone and be able to be himself in peace. He believes it is not possible in his home and in the environment he lives in which is a continual bombardment of shattering defeats for which Bigger is unable to see through.

Bigger's own comfort zone is unsympathetic to his feelings of dissatisfaction with his life. He confides his innermost thoughts on his life to his friends when he re

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