WAEC Literature in English 2019 Theory — Question 9

Model answer

Points to develop: 'Native Son' as a novel on the problems of racism; The trial exposes the vicious cycle of oppression; Racism — a reality; Hypocrisy of the whites; Outcome of the trial. The killing of Mary by Bigger brings out the problem of racism in the United States of America. Bigger is a product of a racist society and this reflects in his physical, psychological and social make-up. The killing of Mary by Bigger brings out the debate that Bigger should not be blamed for such act. He is a product of hate, fear, frustration and oppression that threaten his daily existence. Bigger could not have killed Mary in the first place. The killing is propelled by fear and the undue closeness. Although Bigger feels satisfied in the end that he killed Mary, this could have been as a result of societal pressure and of course as a payback for the racist oppressions suffered by the blacks. After the killing of Mary, the whites assert that Bigger should be executed for killing a white lady, not minding the fact that Bessie Mears, the fellow black has been killed by the same person. The trial of Bigger exposes the vicious of oppression. Bigger is supposed to be tried according to the law but some whites still demand that jungle justice should be passed on him because he is black. Some prefer that he should be lynched in the open. The Ku Klux Klan come out and protest. They demand his release so as to be lynched as other blacks in the past. The trial of Bigger also unleashes oppression on the entire black folks in the US. An example is Jack and Jill. One of the folks confesses to release Bigger for trial if he finds him, not minding the fact that they are fellow blacks. The trial reveals that racism is a reality in the US. This is evident in the fact that even the likes of Boris Max and Jan Erlone, not minding the fact that he is being implicated by Mary's death, decides to get a lawyer (Mr. Boris Max) for Bigger. Mr. Max defends Bigger in court and argues that racism is dangerous. He argues that Bigger's act is a result of racist oppression, which if not stopped, will result in several violent acts in the future. The likes of Mr. Buckley and Mr. Britten represent racism in their approach to Bigger's trial. The two are biased and prejudiced. Mr. Britten's prejudice is in his interrogation of Bigger, not minding the background information. He is moved by colour. Mr. Buckley is also prejudiced and biased by his own selfish ambition of becoming a State Attorney. He threatens Bigger into accepting that he is guilty and plays on people's emotion to make sure that he is sentenced to death. He calls Bigger all kinds of racist names. The trial of Bigger reveals that the whites are hypocrites. Mr. Buckley is spurred by his ambition. Mr. Dalton's philanthropic displays are meant to cover up for his guilt for oppressing and exploiting the blacks. The judiciary is also hypocritical. The case of Bessie Mears is not addressed in the court. This reveals the hypocrisy of the law in the US. The law favours the rich and the white. The outcome of the trial reveals that there is inequity in the American justice system. The media judges Bigger ahead of court trial. Bigger is finally sentenced to death by electrocution.