Racism and Fear: An In-depth Study of Native Son Ellis Jessa

Racism and Fear:
An In-depth Study of Native Son
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Introduction
Task
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Evaluation
Conclusion
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Ellis
Jessa
Mary Gordon
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Introduction
Task
Process
Evaluation
Conclusion
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Introduction


Bigger Thomas, the main character of Wright’s Native Son, is
trapped in a downward spiral that leads to his eventual
destruction. He has no way to escape the poverty and racism
that surrounds him. Although the novel was written during a
time when racism and fear prevailed, the novel continues to
cause controversy abroad, having never been out of print since
its original publishing date in 1939.
This WebQuest will explore the theme of racism and fear
through the use of the following: Native Son (the novel),
worksheets and handouts, Native Son (the movie), historical
and biographical connections, and critical analysis essays.
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Task

Evaluate how Wright’s
use of racism and fear
in Native Son coupled
with his sympathetic
portrayal of Bigger
relate to historical
issues and problems of
the time period in which
it was written.
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Process
1.
2.
3.
4.
Complete the Pre-Reading Response column of the
Anticipation/Reaction Guide prior to reading the novel
Read Richard Wright’s biography and accomplishments.
Highlight or take notes on what you think will be relative or on
events that could have triggered his development of the
novel.
Read Native Son and take note of seemingly important
quotations that relate to the theme of racism and fear as you
progress.
After finishing the novel complete the Quote Analysis
exercise.
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Process Continued
5.
6.
7.
Watch the 1951 movie, Native Son, starring Richard Wright as
Bigger Thomas.
Write an essay juxtaposing the novel and the film adaptation.
Consider the following questions when preparing for the
essay:

What major plot points were left out in the translation from
book to movie? Does this affect the meaning of the work
as a whole?

Is the theme of racism and fear prevalent in both the novel
and the movie? How is this theme presented?

Did you respond more to the novel or the movie? Why?
View this PowerPoint in order to gain additional insight into
the life of an African American in Chicago in the 1940s. Be
sure to notice similarities or connections between these
pictures and places described in the novel.
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Process Continued
8.
Research additional historical and critical information dealing
with the oppression of blacks, specifically in Chicago, and its
affect on Richard Wright and his novel, Native Son. You may
want to consider the following hard copy sources:

African American Writers: 2nd Edition, Volume 2

The Encyclopedia of African American Literature

Modern Black Writers: 2nd Edition

Native Son: The Personal, Social, and Political
Background

Novels for Students: Volume 7
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Process Continued
9.
Critics have said that Wright’s Bigger Thomas captured the
thoughts and feelings of black society as a whole during the
1930s and 1940s. Write an in-depth essay using all of the
combined knowledge that you have gained in your search to
compare the life of Richard Wright to that of Bigger Thomas.
Be sure to include historical information and events that are
relevant. Consider the following questions when preparing for
the essay:

In what ways were Richard Wright and Bigger Thomas the
same in regards to social, psychological, and economic
standpoints? How do these conditions influence their
actions?

Was Wright’s portrayal of Bigger as the embodiment of
black society meant to provoke change in American
society? How and to what extent did Wright’s novel
achieve awareness of the issues previously mentioned?
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Process Continued
10.
Complete the Post-Reading Response column of the
Anticipation/Reaction Guide. Compare the answers you
previously recorded to your recent answers and complete the
discussion question provided on the following page.
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Evaluation
Your work will be divided into three different
sections in order to be effectively graded. The
following attachment will expand and display
the grading scales as well as an explanation of
each point cluster: Grading Rubric
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Conclusion
From this WebQuest, you should have explored:

Biographical information concerning the life of
Richard Wright

The cinematic portrayal of Bigger Thomas

Historical documents and photographs that
significantly relate to the novel

Your own personal beliefs on the issues of racism
within society
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Introduction
Task
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Credits
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Richard Wright (Biography and
Accomplishments)
Native Son (the Movie)
PowerPoint Pictures
Conclusion
Credits
Chicago Movie Theater (1940)
Recess at a Black Belt Chicago School
Ida B. Wells Housing Project in Chicago (1942)
Lower Class Chicago Flats for Rent
Apartment building in a black section of Chicago (1941)
Picket line at the Mid-City Realty Company in Chicago
(1941)
Native Son Anticipation/ Reaction
Guide
Pre-Reading
Question
Response
In times of struggle, is it
better to put yourself
How did reading Native Son and completing the exercises provided in
this WebQuest change your overall outlook on the racial issues and
problems discussed in the questions on this worksheet?
Post-Reading
_____________________________________________________
Response
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
first or think of others?
_____________________________________________________
In this world, the only
_____________________________________________________
people a person can
really count on are
family members.
Agree or Disagree
The American Dream
is attainable by all
people.
Agree or Disagree
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Anything is possible if
_____________________________________________________
a person works hard
_____________________________________________________
for it.
_____________________________________________________
Agree or Disagree
_____________________________________________________
It is better to accept
change than it is to
fight a concept.
Agree or Disagree
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Native Son Anticipation/ Reaction
Guide
Pre-Reading
Question
Response
In times of struggle, is it
better to put yourself
How did reading Native Son and completing the exercises provided in
this WebQuest change your overall outlook on the racial issues and
problems discussed in the questions on this worksheet?
Post-Reading
_____________________________________________________
Response
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
first or think of others?
_____________________________________________________
In this world, the only
_____________________________________________________
people a person can
really count on are
family members.
Agree or Disagree
The American Dream
is attainable by all
people.
Agree or Disagree
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Anything is possible if
_____________________________________________________
a person works hard
_____________________________________________________
for it.
_____________________________________________________
Agree or Disagree
_____________________________________________________
It is better to accept
change than it is to
fight a concept.
Agree or Disagree
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Native Son Quote Analysis
Find quotes that directly relate to the issue of racism and fear
that is prevalent in Native Son. Analyze the importance of the
selected quotes and relate them to the meaning of the work as a
whole.
Quote:
Analysis:
Quote:
Quote:
Analysis:
Analysis:
Quote:
Analysis:
Quote:
Analysis:
WebQuest Evaluation
Tasks
Points Earned
Anticipation/Reaction
__/3
Guide (Chart)
Teacher Comments
1-Incomplete
2-Complete but Average
3-Completed in Depth
Anticipation/Reaction
__/3
1-Incomplete
Guide (Discussion
2-Complete but Average
Question)
3-Completed in Depth
Quote Analysis
__/3
1-Incomplete
2-Complete but Average
3-Completed in Depth
Total
__/9
Grading Scale for Essays
9-7 Well-developed ideas and thesis with supporting details, quotations, and
passages from multiple outside sources
6-4 Partially developed ideas and thesis lacking multiple supporting details and
quotations
3-1 Undeveloped ideas with no supporting outside sources
Novel/Movie Juxtaposition Essay
__/9
Critical/Historical Analysis Essay
__/9