Bigger Thomas: A Rolling Stone

Existence precedes essence. The existential generic formula for life is based on the belief that man’s existential crisis is experienced during the pursuit of essence. The starting point of existence, ideally, should be the same for each individual; however, Wright’s Native Son challenges the practice of that premise by examining the unequal existence of Bigger Thomas in a society that recognizes his color before his humanity. Bigger’s existence is a crime, and because his existence is not considered equal or parallel to the white man, his journey towards authentic essence meets, and must conquer, additional obstacles. By examining a number of existential components and applying these philosophical theories of Sartre to Wright’s novel, the reader is able to experience a new existential dimension: existential essence can sometimes precede existence. Bigger evolves through each crisis in the novel, experiencing numerous births into life, self-realization, transcendence, and authentic being.