Native Son pg. 164-186 "The knowledge that he had killed a white girl they loved and regarded as their symbol of beauty made him feel the equal of them, like a man who had been somehow cheated, but had now evened the score" (164).

I chose this quote because I think Bigger is trying to justify killing Mary. After all the years of white people being mean to black people, Bigger feels he has finally stepped up and gotten even with the white people by taking someone who was truly important to them. I could understand Bigger's actions if they had personally done something bad to Bigger instead of getting back at white people for being mean to black people he does not know. It is surprising to me how much pleasure Bigger receives from witnessing the struggles of white people. Bigger does not just want revenge, he wants to humiliate white people.

Why does Bigger not try to become friendly with white people instead of pushing them away even more?