Based on the notes from today's class, how can Bigger be deemed a tragic "hero"? What are some of the ways in which he does not fit into Aristotle's definition? How might you see Wright's tragic "hero" as a modern interpretation based on the context of racial inequities and injustices?
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Bigger can definitely be considered a tragic hero. He is the character which the story is centered around. His thoughts and actions, basically, carry the story from section to section. Aristotle states in his work "The Poetics", that although great, the tragic hero, is not perfect. This is very true of BIgger's character considering all the trouble he has within his family and in his own personal decisions. I am not very clear on how Bigger does not fit into the mold of Aristotle's definition. Looking at Bigger's character from a racial point of view, especially during that time it can come off as being some what awkward since he was a black male living during a tim of racism. Even today there are still times when it is hard to picture an african american as being "great". In today's society, people would look over the hardships being faced and condemn the person immediately.
ReplyDeleteQuote about content from "The Poetics": http://vccslitonline.cc.va.us/tragedy/aristotle.htm
Bigger is a tragic hero. The whole story is centered around him and the decisions he makes. In "The Poetics" by Aristotle, a tragic hero is defined by someone who has a fatal flaw, or some mistake made that leads to their ultimate demise. Aristotle also mentions that this mistake, or flaw is fated by the gods. I think Bigger's "flaw" is that he is being pushed into being an adult while he is desperately trying to hold on to his innocence. He doesn't fit Aristotle's definition of a tragic hero because his fate isn't predetermined. Bigger's life is based on decisions and choices he makes. I think, in terms of race, Bigger is a hero for his family. Bigger breaks racial stereotypes by doing something good for his family, and that would make him a "hero".
ReplyDeleteBased on the notes from class, I would definitely consider Bigger a tragic hero. Aristotle states that a tragic hero does not come to his demise by accident or fate but it is his tragic flaw that brings him down. I think that Bigger's trgic flaw is his attitude and lack of conotrolling his emotions. When he does not understand or fears something, he lashes out in very violent ways, One way that Bigger does not fit int a tragic hero is his status. A part of the definition of a tragic hero is to be noble and in a high position. Bigger obviously does not fit that description with his position in social class. I see Wright's modern interpretation as a tragic hero because racial inequities are the biggest obstacle. His flaws are tied into how he deals with being so low on the social pole because he is black. Also the injustices brought on African Americans contibutes to how Bigger acts towards other people.
ReplyDeleteBigger is considered the hero because he is the protagonist in the story. He is the person that everybody is depending on or in some kind of way he's affecting them with the choices he's choosing to make.He fits into Aristotles definition of "super hero" in many different ways such as being imperfect, helping us as readers see some of his flaws in us, and for just being human. From some research I've done Bigger fully fulfills Aristotles' definition of a super here.Wrights' interpretation of tragic hero comes to show in the story where Bigger feels uncomfortable with the white people he works for being over nice and generous to him. During the time setting that this book was written it was very unlikely to fing white's and blacks being cordial to one another.
ReplyDeleteBigger can be deemed a tragic hero because he is the protagonist in the story. Bigger has a "high" status job because of whom he works for. He is also imperfect and reveals some of his flaws. He has a problem with his attitude and has little drive to just get up and do better for himself. Bigger does not fit into Aristotle's definition of a tragic hero because he does not hold a higher position in society as the man he works for. Bigger would be seen as a "hero" in today's society because he has achieved something that was at one time thought to never happen. He has been given the opportunity to work for a white high class family who seems to accept him as a person.
ReplyDeleteBigger can be deemed as a tragic hero because he is looked up to and respected by people like his little brother and his friends Gus, Jack, and G.H. Although, people admire him, he has his own flaw which in turn causes his ultimate demise. His flaw is trust. He does not trust anyone which causes him to be callous toward everyone around him afraid of letting anyone close to him to let them know his deepest and darkest fears. He may not fit into Aristotle's definition completely because he is not accepted by all of society which makes his self-worth lower than others. Wright's tragic hero is modern interpretation because Bigger is somewhat adored by others around him in his community, but he does not realize his full potential and he will not trust others which causes him to overanalyze different situations affecting the major outcome bound to happen.
ReplyDeleteBigger is viewed as being a tragic hero because he is who everyone is depending on for something better. As we are reading the book, we become aware of Bigger's weaknesses. which include his anger, his insecurities, and also his fear of white people. Bigger does not fit in Aristotle's social class. Bigger is very poor and uses his money from his job for his family. Bigger does not understand the his is given the opportunity to work for a white family who is classified as being in the high class, instead of being so inferior to the family Bigger needs to learn that they want to accept Bigger as a person.
ReplyDeleteIt is unfortunate that Bigger can not appreciate the sincerity of Jan and Mary's actions.Because it was during the time of hardship for African Americans, Bigger did not realize that Jane and Mary were on his side. This is what shows that Bigger can not somewhat fit into Aristotle's definition of a tragic hero. Bigger was just ignorant because he did realize what he was doing. Aristotle says ,"That the tragic hero has to be a man “who is not eminently good and just, yet whose misfortune is brought about not by vice or depravity, but by some error or frailty.” Bigger was a tragic hero because he tried to protect Mary from her parents knowing how drunk she was and the fact that she met up with Jan. Bigger did care what happened to her and he was a good person. He makes a mistake by error and suffocates her. Bigger shows an example of Wright's tragic hero because he is actually able to work with white people in their home. Mary and Jan treat Bigger as an equal and he is blind to see they are on his side.
ReplyDeleteBigger can be deemed a tragic hero because he is the protagonist in this tragedy. From riding in the car with Mary and Jan and being upset because they’re white and interacting with him as if he was their equal. Also, by making a mistake and killing Mary and deciding what was the right thing to do with her body. I believe that Bigger doesn’t fit into Aristotle’s idea of a tragic hero being that Aristotle states in Poetics that “The change of fortune should be not from bad to good, but, reversely, from good to bad”. (article 82) Bigger was always mean to his mother, sister, and friends. He had a bad temper and instead of being honest about what happened to Mary he made a mistake and killed her. We see Wright's tragic "hero" as a modern interpretation based on the context of racial inequities and injustices as a character who makes a mistake and kills a white woman and instead of making a more just decision he burns Mary’s body to cover himself because in this era a black man would go directly to an electric chair as a result of prejudice and segregation. Bigger was afraid and did the best thing for his own life.
ReplyDeleteCecilia Tran: Week 3
ReplyDeleteBigger definitely plays a protagonist role in "The Native Sons." According to Aristotle, "Although such a plot would be in accordance with our human sympathy, it would not contain the necessary elements of pity and fear; for pity is aroused by someone who undeservedly falls into misfortune, and fear is evoked by our recognizing that it is someone like ourselves who encounter misfortune" (Aristotle 227). It is stated in the quote stated that it is not necessary to present pity and fear in a tragedy, but this goes against aristotle idea when Bigger plays a main role of a guy who undeservedly falls into misfortune due to his race. We can not really sympathize for Bigger because of what he had done, but we pity him for the situation he have to go through. Wright's tragic "hero" as a modern interpretation based on the context of racial inequalities and injustices portrayed Bigger cause feared that he might get caught kissing Mary so he killed her because he was afraid that a black man like him might get caught kissing a white girl like Mary. In result, segregation and prejudice led to a murder of an innocent girl.
Jennifer Tran: Week 3
ReplyDeleteA tragic hero is defined as the main character that has a major flaw. Bigger can be seen as the tragic hero because he’s the protagonist of Wright’s story. His major flaw is his selfishness. For example, Bigger kicked Gus, almost killed him, and create a chaotic scene in Doc’s poolroom just because he was too scared to admit that he was afraid to go through with the robbery plan (39-42.) Bigger was also selfish when he followed his impulse to kiss Mary in her bedroom. Then, when Mrs. Dalton stood in front of Mary’s door, Bigger covered Mary’s face with a pillow to stop her from giving him away (83-85.) Even though Mary was clearly struggling to breathe, Bigger didn’t care or even notice because he was only thinking about himself. This resulted in a dead Mary and a frantic Bigger who was trying to cover up his tracks. However, Bigger doesn’t exactly fit Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero because he gets into trouble through his choices. In Aristotle’s definition, a tragic hero must be someone who is neither perfect nor falls into misfortune through evil actions (The Poetics 227.) Bigger’s actions, which can be seen as bad, led him into disaster. However, in a way, Bigger was sort of destined to get into trouble because of the racism that was going around. During Bigger’s lifetime, blacks were segregated and had fewer rights than white people. The law was set up where a black person would receive harsher punishments than a white person for the same crime. Therefore, Bigger is sort of set up to get into trouble.
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ReplyDeletea tragic hero define as a character in a work of fiction (often the protagonist) who commits an action or makes a mistake which eventually leads to his or her defeat. In the Native Son, Bigger plays the role of the protagonist and also makes mistake in the story that he regret. Bigger is a hero to his family because his family counts on him to protect them and provide for them. Bigger knows he the man of the house so he take charge and work for the people he hates the most. he swallowed his pride and work for white people in order to help him family. Bigger makes some mistakes while being that hero by making mixing work and his persona life together and killing a woman and hiding her body. Bigger is dealing with the death of the woman but cant deal with it any longer. i do believe he fits Aristotle idea as Bigger playing the main role of a guy who undeservedly falls into misfortune.
ReplyDeleteBased on the notes that we recieved in class, In my opinion I believe that Bigger is the hero in the story because he portrays a herioc position as being the protagonist in the story. The protagonist Bigger taps into Aristotle's definition of a 'super hero" but in my eyes he really doesnt fulfill Aristotles definition of a super hero. It seems as he is because he takes criticism, and is a kind person.
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