To blame a murder entirely on society is ridiculous. Bigger is a man who can make conscious decisions just like anyone else, and committing murder is an act no one else can be blamed for. I do believe society had an impact on Bigger and molded his mindset which led him to that place. Bigger is a black man facing oppression in a white society, which meant whatever wrong action he might have done would lead to consequences far more severe than any white man would receive. In no way was society responsible for Bigger being in Mary's bed that night, but when Mrs. Dalton entered the room, Bigger knew that if he was caught, being a black man suspiciously in a white woman's bed, he would face enormous consequences, possibly even death. This is why Bigger decided he could not be discovered, and covered Mary's face with the pillow, ultimately leading to her death. Although this was in a moment of panic, this was something Bigger decided to do, not society. I do not think society was responsible for Bigger's actions, but I do think society paved the path Bigger traveled to get to that place.

-Meghan White