up to pg 381

"Yes your Honor. The defendant, Bigger Thomas, plead guilty" (370).

This statement shows that Max does not feel as if Bigger needs the trial for the murder, because Bigger already has all the fingers pointed toward him. Max is trying to have the jury send him away to an Insanse home, instead of a death sentence. This was a tricky approach, because Buckley has a bunch of witnesses pointing him away from the insane theory.


What is going to happen to Bigger?

How is this going to affect him?

up to 363

"He sank to his knees and sobbed: I don't want to die.... I don't want to die..."(363)

This reason why Bigger sobbed is he because he is now feeling that he is no chance with life.He feels that there is nothing left for him in this world. He tried to express himself to Max, but nothing is left for him to do with his life.

Is Bigger going to be sentenced to death?

What's going to happen?

up to 340 part 3

"It gripped him: that cross was not a cross of Christ, but the cross of the Ku Klux Klan. He had a cross of salvation round his throat and they were burning one to tell him that they hated him!" (338).

This quote shows how of this time there were racist groups that showed their hate towards everyone. They decided to burn crosses which is completely disrespectful, and Bigger realizes this when he sees them. Bigger is now realizing his faith when he sees himself wearing a cross, and it shows how he is begging to lean towards his faith life.

Is Bigger's faith going to show now that he is in jail?

Is the white supremacy going to have an effect on Bigger's verdict?

up to 340 part 2

"They stood in the middle of the floor, crying, with their arms locked about Bigger. Bigger held his face stiff, hating them and himself, feeling the white people along the wall watching. His mother mumbled a prayer, to which the preacher chanted" (300).

The quote shows how much grief the Thomas family is over Bigger. His mother, brother, and sister are all supportive though. The fact that Bigger feels the hatred towards himself shows that he is not pleased with his actions.

How is Bigger's family going to take his sentencing?

How is this going to affect the Thomas'?

up to 340 part 1

"Bigger's eyes looked round the room, as seeking a means of escape. What could he say? He was guilty" (290).

This quote shows that Bigger is no longer feeling in control, but controlled. He is locked up, and has no way to get out. He knows that there is no way for him to be free, he knew he did the crime, and he can't run away from this anymore.

How is Bigger going to feel in jail?
Is he going to have a positive learning experience?

to pg 286

"Crimes such as the Bigger Thomas murders could be lessend by segrating all Negrosnin parks, playgrounds, cafes, theatres and street cars" (280).

This quote shows that the media of this time is representing the black community because of Bigger's actions. It is cruel because the people of this time are just sterotyped. The fact that they are banning all of them, is cruel and shows that all the people of this time are shown as racist.

Why is the media making Bigger look that bad?

Why are there sterotypes?

end of fear

"he stopped at a ledge and looked back; he saw in the lurid glare of the slashing lamces of light a man stumbling over snow" (265).

this quote is significant because the fact that Bigger is feeling these emotions before he is found. Bigger has been through a rough patch in his life. Now that he is sneaking around, his life of crime will still continue.

What is going to happen to Bigger now that he was arrested?

Is he going to survive at the end of the story?