Today we'll be continuing our look at Native Son by focusing in on Bigger Thomas. We will begin with a piece of individual writing considering two key moments from Book Two. Then, in our groups, we will consider not merely his actions but also the factors and motivations that are influencing those actions.
To do so, each of your groups will be assigned one section of Book Two to examine with one person taking notes on this CHART. In your discussions you will be asked to consider the aggravating and mitigating circumstances surrounding Bigger's actions.
Mitigating circumstances are circumstances that partially explain or excuse behavior. Mitigating circumstances are often referred to in the legal context as factors that make a crime or other action more understandable. Mitigating circumstances are not an absolute excuse, and do not mean that no culpability will be attached to the actions; they simply mean that the actions are viewed as less egregious in light of the circumstances. Mitigating factors are the opposite of aggravating factors. Aggravating factors are those factors that make a crime or other action seem more egregious, such as prior felony convictions or choosing an especially vulnerable victim.
For your discussion of the mitigating and aggravating factors surrounding Bigger's actions, you will take note that some of these will be “internal” factors, in other words things that Bigger is thinking or telling the reader about his behavior that might be considered mitigating (things that help to explain his behavior) or aggravating (things that make his behavior seem more egregious or outrageous). Others will be “external” factors or in other words things from other people or society around him that might be considered mitigating or aggravating circumstances. When finished, you will be asked to share your findings.
