Sympathy for a Murderer in Native Son by Richard WrightIn Native Son, Richard Wright introduces Bigger Thomas, a liar and a thief. Wright generates sympathy for this man despite the fact that he committed two murders. Through the reactions of others to his actions and through his own reactions to what he has done, the author creates compassion in the reader towards Bigger to help convey the desperate state of black Americans in the 1930s. The simplest method Wright uses to produce sympathy is the depiction of the hatred and intolerance shown towards Thomas as a black criminal. This first occurs when Bigger is immediately suspected of being involved in Mary Dalton's disappearance. Mr. Britten suspects Bigger of being guilty and only stops his attacks when Bigger casts enough suspicion on Jan to convince Mr. Dalton. Britten explains, “To me, a nigger is a nigger” (Wright 154). Due to Bigger's darkness, it is immediately assumed that he is responsible to some extent. This hypothesis leads the reader to sympathize with Bigger. While only a kidnapping or possible murder is investigated, once Bigger is named as the culprit, the newspapers claim that the incident is "possibly a sex crime" (228). Eleven pages later, Wright depicts black headlines proclaiming a “rapist” (239) on the loose. Wright evokes compassion for Bigger, knowing that he is being unjustly accused this time. The reader is very moved when the citizens of Chicago direct all their racial hatred directly at Bigger. The cries of "Kill him! Lynch him! That black son of a bitch! Kill that black monkey!" (253) immediately after his capture encourage concern for Bigger's well-being. Wright wants the reader to extend this fear for Bigger's safety to the entire black community. The reader's sympathy is further strengthened when he remembers that all this hatred was spurred by an accident. Although Bigger Thomas does many bad things, the immorality of his role in Mary Dalton's death is questionable. His hasty decision to put the pillow over Mary's face is the culmination of a night where nothing went well for Bigger. We feel sympathy because Bigger was forced to stay in uncomfortable positions all night. With good intentions, Jan and Mary place Bigger in situations that make him feel “a cold, stupid, inarticulate hatred” (68) toward them. Wright hopes the reader will share Bigger's unease. The reader struggles to complete Bigger's task of getting Mary into bed and is relieved when he has completed his mission safely..