This change in Bigger is initiated through meeting his lawyer, Max. Prior to speaking with Max, Bigger does not share his experiences and feelings with anyone. When he shares these with Max, he gains a “new sense of the value of himself.” (361). Bigger had always accepted the stereotypes about black Chicagoans as true. Talking with Max allows him to see that he is not a stereotype. He is a human being, with a unique character. As Bigger is no longer reducing himself to a racial stereotype, he no longer reduces others to equally false stereotypes. In his speech to the court, Max attempts to make the same change in others. He calls for an end to defining people solely by their race or actions. “The central fact to be understood here is not who wronged this boy, but what kind of vision of the world did he have before his eyes,” Max preaches, emphasizing the need for an end to prejudice. While not all in the court responded to Max’s message, Bigger takes his words to heart, liberating himself and others from destructive beliefs about race. Bigger refrains from putting himself on a lower level and seeing those of the opposite race as authority figures. When Bigger is saying his last goodbyes in prison, he pleads with Max to “tell…Tell Mister…Tell Jan hello…” (430). Recognizing the humanity in Jan, Bigger is able to see their similarities, eliminating the title of “Mister” from Jan’s name. While Bigger is not able to be saved, his frustrations come to an end when he practices what Max
This change in Bigger is initiated through meeting his lawyer, Max. Prior to speaking with Max, Bigger does not share his experiences and feelings with anyone. When he shares these with Max, he gains a “new sense of the value of himself.” (361). Bigger had always accepted the stereotypes about black Chicagoans as true. Talking with Max allows him to see that he is not a stereotype. He is a human being, with a unique character. As Bigger is no longer reducing himself to a racial stereotype, he no longer reduces others to equally false stereotypes. In his speech to the court, Max attempts to make the same change in others. He calls for an end to defining people solely by their race or actions. “The central fact to be understood here is not who wronged this boy, but what kind of vision of the world did he have before his eyes,” Max preaches, emphasizing the need for an end to prejudice. While not all in the court responded to Max’s message, Bigger takes his words to heart, liberating himself and others from destructive beliefs about race. Bigger refrains from putting himself on a lower level and seeing those of the opposite race as authority figures. When Bigger is saying his last goodbyes in prison, he pleads with Max to “tell…Tell Mister…Tell Jan hello…” (430). Recognizing the humanity in Jan, Bigger is able to see their similarities, eliminating the title of “Mister” from Jan’s name. While Bigger is not able to be saved, his frustrations come to an end when he practices what Max