In Richard Wright's Native Son, communism plays a central role in the lives of all the characters involved. Either indirectly or directly, characters central to the narrative find their lives shaped by the controversial movement. Bigger Thomas himself, had an encounter with "reds" which became a direct catalyst for the central event of the novel. Throughout all of this, Richard Wright provides a direct commentary on the state of the Communist Party in the 1930s. A known red sympathizer, he obviously had some thoughts and critiques on people within the party. From the introduction of Jan in book 1, to the implicitly socialist character of Max in book 3, Wright begins to create a "handbook" for well intentioned Communists. When the book starts, Jan and Mary intend to help Bigger and befriend him. Jan even makes attempts to lure Bigger into the Communist party. Possibly a nod to people Richard Wright met while involved in the real-life communist party. Jan and Mar...