Character Roles

Protagonist

Bigger Thomas

Bigger Thomas is the character who sets everything in motion, from the moment he kills the rat and decides he’ll take the chauffeuring job instead of robbing Blum. All narration is centered on explaining the motivations for his actions. In this case, just because Bigger is the protagonist, it doesn’t mean you have to like him, but it does mean that you understand the guy and where he’s coming from.

Antagonist

White Society in General

Mr. Max (and author Richard Wright) argue that although Bigger is a murderer, it is white society and the system of oppression created by that society which turned Bigger into a criminal. In that case, the antagonist would be the system that oppresses Bigger and keeps him from having options in life aside from poverty and crime.

Antagonist

Mr. Buckley

On the one hand, Mr. Buckley is simply doing his job: prosecuting criminals for the state. On the other hand, it’s clear that he deliberately uses Bigger’s case to gain reelection by proving to white citizens of Chicago that he’s on their side and he’s tough on black criminals.

Guide/Mentor

Boris Max

Boris Max, Bigger’s lawyer, is able to break through Bigger’s reserve and shame. When Bigger finally decides to trust Max with the truth, Bigger himself is able to learn important lessons about his own life. Because of who Max is and what he does, Bigger is able to see white men as human (instead of arbitrary gods who control his life). But, more importantly, Bigger begins to see himself as human.