Bigger Thomas /

Bloom's choice of Bigger Thomas as one of the figures included in his 51-title series, "Major Literary Characters," testifies to the power Richard Wright's best-known creation continues to exert over its readers. Since its publication in 1940, Native Son has provoked sharply opposed critical responses and, as Bloom's excellent compilation of essays makes clear, these debates continue unabated. This volume begins with Bloom's essay "The Analysis of Character"--a feature common to this Chelsea House series--and is followed by an introduction in which Bloom meditates on the connections among Bigger Thomas, Willie Horton, and the 1988 presidential elections. What follows is a compilation of some of the best extracts and essays written on the character of Bigger Thomas. In addition to articles written more or less contemporaneously with Native Son, and standard interpretations which should be familiar to Wright scholars, Bloom includes an excellent range of essays by recent critics. This collection will certainly attract the attention of African-Americanists and it should have wide general appeal as well. Highly recommended for all libraries. -J. A. Miller, Trinity College (CT)