Existentialism emphasizes the existence of the individual as a free and responsible agent who determines his own development through acts of will. In contrast, environmental determinism suggests that society shapes individuals, taking into account few personal motivations. In Richard Wright's novel, Native Son, a young black man named Bigger faces constant fear of oppressive social trends, but is inclined to define himself through his actions to find an identity. An existential sense of morality elicits behaviors that oppose social norms, while the natural moral code conforms. Although Bigger is the product of an oppressive, fear-stricken society, his fundamental need for a self-determined identity drives him to embrace his actions. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Wright suggests throughout the novel that ingrained social tendencies determine Bigger's existence and behavior, implying that environmental determinism supersedes and corrupts his free will. Max, Bigger's communist lawyer, insists that society has instilled fear in blacks and stripped them of their individuality: "they are helpless pawns in a blind game of social forces" (390). Through this communist perspective, Max argues that white society is responsible for Bigger's fear, which ultimately results in his hateful behavior and crimes. These social forces are the result of a universal desire for power and superiority, which comes at the expense of black pride and individualism. Rather, blacks become “powerless pawns,” superfluous pieces of a social game, seen by whites simply as leverage to elevate their social position. Bigger is conditioned to hate himself and fear white people from a young age, as shame defines and controls him: “They made him feel his black skin just by standing there looking at him, one holding his hand and the other smiling. At that moment he felt that he had no physical existence; it was something to be hated, the mark of shame that he knew attached to black skin” (67). Bigger is the product of a degenerate, oppressive society that promotes self-hatred and ultimately causes him to commit the crimes he does. Living in constant fear, he is born with this “badge of shame” into a world where he can never win, belittled and degraded by an alarmist white society. Although society may be at fault for Bigger's behavior, he is subsequently forced to take responsibility for his actions in order to establish individualism and his own identity. Claiming personal motivations, Bigger embraces and defines himself through his actions: “What I kill for I am. . . When a man kills, it is for something” (429). Rather than blaming social trends for his shortcomings, Bigger adopts an intentional mindset to establish individual identity. Claiming to kill “for something,” Bigger convinces himself that his actions were justified, manifesting this existential ideal into his reality. However, he does not realize that the “something” he kills for is the deep fear and hatred in which he has always lived. Instead of blaming society for his transgressions, Bigger says that he is what he kills for, defining himself through actions. that most people would be ashamed of. By adopting this mindset of responsibility, Bigger “felt that he had his destiny in his hands” (156). Now that he doesn't let society control him, he feels responsible for his future and his past. Bigger decides not to take into account what others think,.