Native Son
by Richard Wright

Native Son: Style 1 key example

Key Examples in Native Son

Style
Explanation and Analysis:

Though it was an immediate bestseller, the style of Native Son has been widely criticized since its publication. The novel is, for the most part, rather dry and without ornament. Wright's style is closest to reportage: his goal is to describe, as directly as possible, the exact actions, thoughts, and perceptions of Bigger Thomas. Furthermore, Native Son is a crime novel with lots of blood and gore, and often the most effective way to write such scenes is to allow the terrible events to speak for themselves. Thus, the novel is quite straightforward and austere, following in the tradition of modernist writers.