ISSUES OF OPPRESSION AND RACISM AND THIER EFFECT ON THE OPPRESSORS: A STUDY OF NATIVE SON BY RICHARD WRIGHT

This study explores the themes of oppression and racism and their psychological and moral consequences on the oppressors, using Richard Wright’s Native Son as a case study. While much scholarly attention has been given to the effects of racism on the oppressed, this research shifts the focus to examine how systemic racism and social domination dehumanize and morally corrupt those who enforce or benefit from such systems. Through a critical analysis of key characters and narrative techniques, the study reveals how white characters in Native Son are trapped in fear, guilt, and a false sense of superiority that ultimately erode their humanity. The research adopts a qualitative literary approach, drawing insights from postcolonial and psychoanalytic theories to unpack the complexities of racial power dynamics. The findings highlight that racism not only victimizes the marginalized but also imposes psychological burdens on the dominant group, leading to alienation, moral decay, and the perpetuation of fear-based societal structures. This work underscores the need for a deeper understanding of racism as a destructive force on all sides of the social divide.