David And Bigger example essay topic

Children are taught to think, feel, and believe just as their parents do. As adolescence approaches many kids are anxious to develop their own identity and distinguish themselves from others in society. That distinguishing identity takes complete form when adulthood is reached, although on numerous occasions it doesn't conform to the normal views of society or ones family. A similarity in the plays "Native Son" and "The Amen Corner", by Richard Wright and James Baldwin is how they use their characters Bigger and David to show how people are in search of an identity that separates them from their family and societies norms. Many young men grow up idolizing their fathers, imitating their behaviors and dreaming of being like them when they reach manhood. But that isn't the case for every young man, in particular young black men, who are often kids of single families.

In the plays we see two characters, David and Bigger, who are struggling to find their identity. David in "The Amen Corner" has no father figure in his life and is in the midst of dealing with what it is to become an adult and venture into the world. The character Bigger in "Native Son" deals with being a black man in a white society who has been forced to become the man of the house. Bigger is a young, angry black man who can't accept his role in society but has many dreams. He knows that he is responsible for watching after the family but he wants to be so much more than that. Society has killed his father but he doesn't want it to kill him or his dreams.

He lets his rage get to him and then must deal with his actions. The racist world that he lives in infuriates him, "The white boys get all the good runs-They don't want no niggers driving trucks down to Florida", (page 27) mutters Bigger. He sees the injustice in the workforce and does not want to be that stereotypical black man that whites look down upon and are scared of. When he takes the job at the Dalton's he appears to be a completely different person from his persona at home.

He plays the subservient role very well and succumbs to that stereotypical "Yes sum" black servant. Very early in the story his expresses his rage by killing the rat. "Try to run now-try to bite me-just try it, you black, fat, slimy, ratty greasy", Bigger angrily states. And later his violent behavior is shown when he kills Mary Dalton, but this wasn't necessarily an act of violence. Bigger is confused and is desperately trying to escape the life that he has been given. In the last scenes when he is on his way to the electric chair, he realizes that while in attempt to defy what people expected from him that he became even worse than their expectations.

He let his anger take over his identity and it turned him into a monster. David on the other hand fights with breaking from an identity that his mom has developed for him. In this case many would say he didn't need to go and 'find himself,' everything was laid out on a platter for him. He would continue to play the piano and be an active member in the church.

As the pastor of the church and his mother, Margaret only sees it fit that David will take over after her, she strongly believes that his calling is in the church. "David going to work with me in these here churches and he going to be a pastor when he get old enough", (304) proclaims Margaret. Luke hasn't been there for David although they realize that they have a connection through music but he sees the need for his son to live his own life. "I don't care what kind of life he lives-as long as it's his life-not mine, not his mama's, but his own", (305) states Luke. David feels that he is trapped in his mom's world, so he sneaks around to do the things that he enjoys.

He has plans of his own but knows that they will break his mom's heart if he openly strives towards achieving his goals. Now that he is 18 years old his opinions are well developed and waiting to be released but not only is he held back by his mom but society as well. David and Bigger are fighting different battles but are dealing with the same identity crisis. In "The Amen Corner", for the first time David is going against what society and his mom say by questioning his faith in the church. He wants to be his own man, explore the world on his own terms. Bigger wants a better life, the opportunity to be a leader.

Like all men, women and children they have dreams and aspirations it is just a matter of defeating the obstacles and expectations placed in their path by others. In the end, David is able to leave home and the identity instilled by his mother. Margaret realizes that she must let him live his life, "He's gone, Luke. I couldn't hold him. He's gone off into the world" (314). And Bigger ultimately comes to terms with his end as realizes there is no more dreaming, he had the chance to change the perceptions of him and distinguish himself but now it is too late.

"Nothing really right yet-like what I wanted to do. Living or dead, they don't give me no chance-I didn't give myself no chance", (63) Bigger states as sits in jail. They both fought and struggled with their identity and in the end only one prospers. Although adults venture into the real world to discover themselves sometimes they realize that they can't escape their parents or societies norms. Through television, movies, books and plays it is known that children must be given the opportunity to explore what it means to be them despite what they might come to grips with.