Max Character Analysis in Native Son

Bigger’s defense attorney at his trial, Max is a Jewish-American Communist who believes that the oppressive white majority of Chicago does all it can to “keep down” people of color and members of trade unions. Max sympathizes with Bigger because he, too, is a victim of discrimination, based on his political and religious beliefs. Although Max does not succeed in helping Bigger avoid execution, Bigger is nonetheless grateful to Max for speaking to him as a human being.

Max Quotes in Native Son

The Native Son quotes below are all either spoken by Max or refer to Max. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Whiteness, Blackness, and Racism Theme Icon

).

Now listen, Mr. Max. No question asked in this room will inflame the public mind any more than has the death of Mary Dalton, and you know it. You have the right to question any of these witnesses, but I will not tolerate any publicity-seeking by your kind here!

Related Characters: (speaker), ,

Page Number and Citation: 319

Explanation and Analysis:

Isn’t it true that you refuse to rent houses to Negroes if those houses are in other sections of the city?
Why, yes.
Why?
Well, it’s an old custom.

Related Characters: (speaker),

Page Number and Citation: 327

Explanation and Analysis:

Max Quotes in Native Son

The Native Son quotes below are all either spoken by Max or refer to Max. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

).

Now listen, Mr. Max. No question asked in this room will inflame the public mind any more than has the death of Mary Dalton, and you know it. You have the right to question any of these witnesses, but I will not tolerate any publicity-seeking by your kind here!

Related Characters: (speaker), ,

Page Number and Citation: 319

Explanation and Analysis:

Isn’t it true that you refuse to rent houses to Negroes if those houses are in other sections of the city?
Why, yes.
Why?
Well, it’s an old custom.

Related Characters: (speaker),

Page Number and Citation: 327

Explanation and Analysis:

Everything you needfor every book you read.

Everything you need for every book you read.

Everything you need for every book you read.

Max Character Analysis

Max Quotes in Native Son

Max Quotes in Native Son

Everything you need
for every book you read.