The novel Native Son by Richard Wright explores how alienation of the mind and body contributes to the development of character. Bigger Thomas is mentally and physically insane. He lives in a world where he is separated from white people and surrounded by blind people of all races. As a second-class citizen, Bigger has developed a unique perspective on the world around him. He feels that he has been dead since birth and will not have any opportunities in life to improve himself. The mental and physical alienation of the world has led Bigger to become primitive, fearful, and angry. Bigger has become primal due to the alienation he faces from society. The best example is in the first volume, when Bigger is at the cinema. He and Jack are in a public place committing sexual acts. The narrator says: “They sat for five minutes, slumped in their seats. Finally, they stood up (30). The fact that Bigger does this in public shows how barbaric he is due to his estrangement from white people. He feels he can do whatever he wants because nothing can make them not love him more. The resentment he faces has brought him to a point where he no longer cares. He will do what he wants. This alienation has more serious consequences when he has it within him to cut off Mary's head. The book says: “He took the hatchet, held his head bowed with his left hand and, after stopping in an attitude or prayer, sent the blade of the hatchet into the throat bone with all the might of his hand. his body (92).” This gruesome scene is almost difficult to read. Committing this act reveals Bigger's primitive side. No civilized person would have the ability to cut a piece of paper... which would lead him to kill Mary and Bessie. He has no remorse because white society has none for him. He knows he was dead at birth. Bigger realizes what the blind people around him don't realize! He knows he can do nothing; you might as well go and fight. Bigger Thomas' alienation leads to his character development. He is primitive, fearful, and angry due to the isolation and racism he faces. He is created by the society in which he lives; the environment around him leads to his downfall. Bigger knows he was dead since the day he was born, the "blind" people around him are either too fearful or too ignorant to see him. He knows that what he did accidentally can never be justified to white people; he wants to die knowing that he is the equal of his counterparts. Works Cited Wright, Richard. Native son. New York: Harper & Bros., 1940. Print.