Topic: Power Dynamics and Social Hierarchies in Richard Wright's The Native Son

Name: Bolarinwa Damilola David

Gbolagade Afolabi Umar
Matric No: LCU/UG/21/19353, LCU/UG/20/16889
Level: 400L
Department: English and literary studies
Faculty: Arts and Education
Research Questions:

1. How does Richard Wright depict power dynamics within racially segregated Chicago
society in "The Native Son"?
2. What role do socioeconomic factors play in shaping social hierarchies among the
characters in "The Native Son"?
3. How do race and class intersect to influence power dynamics and social hierarchies in
"The Native Son"?
4. In what ways does the protagonist, Bigger Thomas, navigate and challenge the
existing power structures and social hierarchies in the novel?
5. How do the relationships between characters reflect and perpetuate power
imbalances and social hierarchies in "The Native Son"?

Research Objectives:

1. Analyze the depiction of power dynamics among different racial and socioeconomic
groups in "The Native Son" through close reading and textual analysis.
2. Investigate the historical and cultural context of 1930s Chicago to understand the
power dynamics and social hierarchies portrayed in the novel.
3. Examine the character development of Bigger Thomas to explore how his experiences
and actions reflect and influence power dynamics within the narrative.
4. Explore critical interpretations and scholarly analyses of "The Native Son" to gain
insights into the various perspectives on power dynamics and social hierarchies in the
novel.
5. Conduct comparative studies with other works of literature or historical documents to
contextualize and deepen the understanding of power dynamics and social hierarchies
depicted in "The Native Son."