Rage plays a key part in his basic nature, but does not directly motivate the murders he commits. Rage does not affect Bigger's intelligence and quick thinking and it becomes evident during the interview with Briton. The detective makes Bigger so angry that the interrogation becomes a game to Bigger, a game of logic and wills, of playing the stupid negro, and telling the man exactly what he wants to hear. The game Bigger plays during the interrogation shows his great intelligence and ability to think quickly on his feet. Bigger also displayed his intelligence in the creation of the ransom note. Using the situation to his advantage, Bigger wrote a ransom note to extort Mary's parents for money. To make the note even more convincing and to dissuade blame from himself, Bigger signs the note with the communist symbol of a hammer and sickle. Although the book revolves around Bigger, he possesses few good qualities, which get his horrendous actions negate, making him an anti-hero. He possesses the violent tendencies to commit rape, extortion of the dead girl's parents, robbing, and killing innocent people. These traits do not portray a simple victim of circumstance, but a habitual criminal acting out against a society. While Bigger dominates the story, his appalling actions make him a man that the reader cannot look upon as a hero. In fact the author punishes the anti-hero character by condemning him to death for his crimes. .
One of the two most sympathetic characterizations of white persons in the novel comes .
from the character of Jan Erlone, Mary Dalton's friend. He exhibits an enthusiastic personality .
and represents an idealistic young organizer for the Communist party. Mary's parents and their servant Peggy distrust his motives. Bigger initially expresses a distaste for "reds" when responding to Jan's friendly advances during their first meeting. While receiving distrust from those around him, Jan retains a simple belief in the equality for all men, regardless of social class or race.
