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Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison 1

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Quote “The next day I saw his picture in the Daily News, beneath a caption stating that he had been "mugged." Poor fool, poor blind fool, I thought with sincere compassion, mugged by an invisible man!” (4)

Context or Significance Though the narrator had attacked the white man due to a racial slur, the white man is still seen as the victim. The world is so blinded by their racism to get the story from both sides because they refuse to “see” a black man as a human.

“I was looking for myself and asking everyone except myself questions which I, and only I, could answer. It took me a long time and much painful boomeranging of my expectations to achieve a realization everyone else appears to have been born with: That I am nobody but myself.” (13) “I want you to overcome 'em with yeses, undermine 'em with grins, agree 'em to death and destruction, let 'em swoller you till they vomit or bust wide open.” (13)

This is the main conflict in the novel. The chapter continues with how life is being a black man, and how whites see them as people who do whatever they're told by society. He was the only person who could take the past of his ancestors and change the beliefs of whites in his current time.

Literary Analysis The invisible man had run into the darkness after fighting the white man; if he had stayed to speak with the police, would the news story have shifted, even in the slightest? Though he knows that he is a human being, situations like these remind him that he is in fact, invisible. Does this foreshadow further actions, where he is legally responsible for his actions, but he gets away with it because he is “invisible” to society? How can he suffer the consequences for these actions when society won’t even acknowledge the fact that he is the same as any white man? This shows a man versus self, conflict; he is unaware of his standing in a racist society. This is characterization of the invisible man, as he introduces himself and says that he had to find himself before he could decipher wat he was in this society. This gives the reader insight on his mind and ideals.

We meet the narrator’s grandfather, who, on his deathbed, gives the whole family a statement that sticks with them their whole lives. Their grandfather lived a “meekly” life, complying to all social

This request from the narrator’s grandfather makes the invisible man feel uneasy, as it sticks with him, even though his grandfather is dead. His father had followed in his grandfather’s footsteps by

injustices. His wish for the rest of the generations after him is to fight the injustices that he hadn’t.

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"Yes, you are my fate, young man. Only you can tell me what it really is. Do you understand?" (33)

Mr. Norton only wants to help young blacks to benefit himself. If he were not getting any gain, he would be just another rich white man who sees blacks as inhumane. This is significant because it shows the ignorance of white people at the time, only seeing blacks to increase personal gain.

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“And you, for all your power, are not a This shows that black people, at the time, man to him, but a God, a force --" (75) looked up to whites as superiors. This is significant because throughout generations, white men would dominate over these blacks. This shows that the effects of slavery are still present. The invisible man is blind to the fact that getting into the college will not solve all of his identity problems and he will not necessarily find his fate at this college.

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“For a swift instant, between the

Homer A. Barbee tells the story of the

living a submissive life, but his grandfather was regretful that he had. This foreshadows the narrator's future actions because he does not want to “betray” his grandfather, and better yet, himself and future generations. His words echo through the rest of the narrative. The narrator is aware of Mr. Norton’s ignorance, but still is working for him, in hopes of getting a scholarship to the school in the future. This shows the pressure of living up to a white man's standards. Will Mr. Norton’s self-interest ever turn into genuine interest for learning about the history of African Americans?Will white people be willing to see blacks as humans, if it is to their benefit? If so, how could the narrator use this to his advantage? By showing the societal imbalance between the invisible man and Mr. Norton, we can see that the invisible man aspires to live the same life as a white man. He thinks that Mr. Norton is a Godly figure, just because society ranks them below them. We see a character flaw in both, Mr. Norton and the invisible man because Mr. Norton is too involve in his self-image, and the invisible man is oblivious to his surroundings. I think it is ironic that the author decided

gesture and the opaque glitter of his glasses, I saw the blinking of sightless eyes. Homer A. Barbee was blind.” (105)

Founder, who was born into slavery. Though he s blind, he can still see the struggles of a black man living in a “white man’s world.” This is significant because a head figure at a church service is spreading the awareness of the unfair ways towards white people who enter the service. Even for just taking Mr. Norton to the poorer sides of town, Dr. Bledsoe is extremely defensive. He scolds the invisible man for his actions and mentions that the government will always be on the white man’s side.

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“This is a power set-up, son, and I'm at the controls. You think about that. When you buck against me, you're bucking against power, rich white folk's power, the nation's power -which means government power!" (111)

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“But I've made my place in it and I'll have every Negro in the country hanging on tree limbs by morning if it means staying where I am.” (112)

Bledsoe is the head of the college made specifically for African Americans but is not interested in diving deeper into the history of mistreatment and slavery. He is only there for the reputation and money. This is important to note because these rich white men are sneaky and would do anything to stay in power.

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“You're hidden right out in the open -that is, you would be if you only

The veteran introduces the concept of being “invisibility” to the narrator,

to make Homer A. Barbee blind because he is an African American. Throughout the book, it is seen hat whites are “blind” to the inhuman treatment of blacks, or even just to the existence of blacks. Though he cannot physically see, he is more aware of the mistreatment than any white who has perfect vision. The mention of a government tells us that politicians on the court at the time, were also racist and would never defend a black man. Knowing this, if the invisible man had gotten into legal trouble, he would not have any evidence for him, since society automatically takes the other side. The author decides to further deepen a character flaw of the narrator. He is building his character to be oblivious to the world and the people who live inside. Bledsoe mentioning the narrator going to New York is only to benefit himself, but the narrator believes it is his best offer. This shows that he is still submissive to whites and is the authors way of showing how he is not living up to his grandfather’s words. He is unable to see below the “mask” or surface of a person's outer actions and words. Ralph Ellison uses the veteran as a guidance character to the narrator. He

realized it. They wouldn't see you because they don't expect you to know anything,” (120)

teaching him that you can be living in a world that doesn’t know you exist. This is significant because it educates our main character on a concept he was unaware of and could help him overcome personal flaws.

10 “He leaned over the counter with a look that seemed to say, There, that ought to excite you, boy. Could everyone see that I was southern? "I'll have orange juice, toast and coffee," I said coldly” (137)

The waiter at the deli offered him a stereotypical breakfast for his race. The invisible man realizes this and orders something different to “rebel” against the norm. Little gestures like this show his ignorance towards worldly views.

11 “He was addressing me, leaning forward confidentially, as though he'd known me for years, and I remembered something my grandfather had said long ago: Don't let no white man tell you his business, 'cause after he tells you he's liable to git shame he tole it to you and then he'll hate you. Fact is, he was hating you all the time. . .” (144) 12 “I helped the Old Man make up that slogan. 'If It's Optic White, It's the Right White,' " he quoted with an upraised finger, like a preacher quoting holy writ.” (168)

The wisdom of the narrator’s grandfather is radiating through his mind and he is questioning his relationship with Emerson. A white man will always be shamed for speaking with a person of color.

The slogan represents the company's notions, stressing the importance white superiority. This draws in customers because it appeals to whites.

even mentions himself, that he speaks the thoughts that men only think, but never say. This could be a transitional character for the narrator because it changes his perspective and he has the opportunity to “restart” in a new home, that is New York. Though the act of stereotyping is recognized by our narrator, he is still overpowered by the desire to be “in the crowd” of a white man’s world. This desire enlarges his imperfections because he is able to recognize these types of racism, but is blind to white men’s true racist ideals, as seen by his interactions with Bledsoe and Emerson. With the words of wisdom, the narrator must decide about what he wants with Emerson. Is he going to listen to his grandfather and leave Emerson alone, or will he continue to build a friendship with a white man, knowing the consequences? The author may include Emerson and this quote because it shows a point of inner conflict in the narrator. The use of this slogan is important in showing the societies ignorance. The North is supposed to be the place of freedom for blacks, but they still have racist ideals. The author includes

13 “Faces hovered above me like inscrutable fish peering myopically through a glass aquarium wall. I saw them suspended motionless above me, then two floating off, first their heads, then the tips of their finlike fingers, moving dreamily from the top of the case. A thoroughly mysterious coming and going, like the surging of torpid tides. I watched the two make furious movements with their mouths. I didn't understand. They tried again, the meaning still escaping me. I felt uneasy. I saw a scribbled card, held over me.” (180) 14 "You've been through a severe experience," he said. "You aren't ready for the rigors of industry. Now I want you to rest, undertake a period of convalescence. You need to become readjusted and get your strength back." (191)

The narrator is awakened from his electric shocks. The doctors try to get him to answer some basic questions, but he fights them with sarcastic comments back. Though he is in the same body, his personality and mindset are blank canvases that he must recreate.

The invisible man is excited to back to work but is told he may not work at such a vigorous place, such as Liberty Paints. This cuts the connection he has with the white people he encountered while working there.

company name, “Liberty Paints” because it shows irony. They are famous for their white paint and their name shows that they are built upon the nations “freedom” policies, but they are still mistreating the invisible man. The paint company uses their paint as a way to “cover up” their racism, as they said it can cover almost anything. This is a turning point event in the novel, where the invisible man gets a second chance at life. The author includes this imagery to show that the narrator has experience a “rebirth”, where he is born into a new life as it seems. The narrator is like a baby, where his life has just started again, this time with no parents. This eliminates the overarching words of his grandfather in the beginning, that haunted him. He can now start over and recreate his identity.

This is a significant change in the narrator’s life because it cuts the last ties he has with the college and Mr. Bledsoe. He is given the opportunity to make a transformation in his character and become his own “father” in a sense. I believe we will see major character

15 “I was certain that it was he and stooped without thought and lifted it shining, full and foul, and moved forward two long steps, dumping its great brown, transparent splash upon the head warned too late by someone across the room.” (199) 16 "They're my birthmark," I said. "I yam what I am!” (205)

Mistaking a Baptist preacher for Dr. Bledsoe, the narrator dumps a bucket of spit onto his head without hesitation. This shows the hatred he once had for Dr. Bledsoe and his treatment towards him. He has a large desire to aggressively fight the society and its people who wronged him. Eating yams on the street made him feel totally free. He didn’t eat them before he felt as though he would be “doing what whites wanted him to,” but now that he has eaten them again, he realizes how much he has missed them.

17 "That is your new name," Brother Jack said. "Start thinking of yourself by that name from this moment. Get it down so that even if you are called in the middle of the night you will respond.” (240)

In order to be a part of the Brotherhood, the narrator must be submissive to the white man who employed him. This is no better than the situation he was once in before, but he accommodates because he feels bad for not paying Mary any money in order to live in her apartments.

18 “For a second I stopped, feeling hate

Though he has had a character change,

changes, where his flaws aren't as prevalent. This act of violence shows the narrator’s character growth. The narrator now pities one who believes in the freedom of colored people in America. He is extremely upset about how the “system” has treated him in the past. This marks the beginning of his own self-discovery. This is a contrast to when the narrator was at the deli and wanted a breakfast farthest from a stereotypical “Southern” meal. This contrast helps the reader understand his character change on a deeper platform, where he can show who he is and not be ashamed of his heritage. This shows the emergence of the narrator embracing his culture without shame, something that would upset whites. Even though his name is changed, it adds to his character development because it shows that he is willing to listen to a white man's orders to make a living. The inclusion of a new name is ironic because slaves used to be renamed by their masters, so we see a parallel between them and the narrator. Though he has escaped the South, his roots haunt him, even if he doesn’t realize it. The Brotherhood angered the narrator,

charging within me, then dashed over and grabbed it, suddenly as enraged by the tolerance or lack of discrimination, or whatever, that allowed Mary to keep such a self-mocking image around, as by the knocking.” (247) 19 “Think about it, they've dispossessed us each of one eye from the day we're born. So now we can only see in straight white lines.” (266)

20 “the old self that slept a few hours a night and dreamed sometimes of my grandfather and Bledsoe and Brockway and Mary, the self that flew without wings and plunged from great heights; and the new public self that spoke for the Brotherhood and was becoming so much more important than the other that I seemed to run a foot race against myself.” (295) 21 “But I must have some enemies," I said. "Sure, I guess everybody has 'em, but I never heard of anybody here in the Brotherhood not liking you.” (298)

22 "Because I don't think we ought to

though he is still a member in it. The author is foreshadowing a dilemma in the future involving the Brotherhood because they cause their speaker [the narrator] so much rage. The smashing of the coin bank represents his irritation with not being able to escape the blows of racism. The author’s use of the eye as symbolism helps the reader better interpret what he is trying to explain. We can see that the eye represents the people of color’s one-sided battle that they will never win against people who possess both sides. The narrator believes he is a new person, The narrator’s new identity is causing but his nightmares about his grandfather him an inner conflict that he must find a and Bledsoe reveal that he is still haunted balance to. He is not a new person, but instead repeating history that was made in by the horrors of the South. Though the author may not come out and say that he the South. has not completely changed, it is obvious in her word choice. The Brotherhood is not letting him represent his individuality, but rather using him to better their reputation. The anonymous letter that was sent to the The invisible man sees the power of being “invisible” with this letter. narrator is poking at his curiosity a lot. Whoever wrote the letter has immediate The fact that the sender is “invisible” to power over the narrator. Later in the the narrator is bothering him. The chapter, when he is accused of using the contents of the letter remind us of his Brotherhood for his personal gain, he grandfather, telling him not to fight too wishes that he were invisible. hard too fast. Westrum wants the leg link to be put The iron leg symbolizes oblivion. his hatred towards racism is still present. By smashing the coin bank, we can see that he still holds anger towards the people who have wronged him in the past. This is still happening in the present with the Brotherhood and he is starting to realize it. The whites and oppressors believe that people of color are “dumb” because they have an “eye” taken from then at birth, but it is just the imbalance of social ranking that is blinding them.

dramatize our differences.” "I'm not dramatizing anything, it's my personal property that happens to be lying on my desk." (304)

23 “It was not merely the background of wealth and gracious living, to which I was alien, but simply the being there with her and the sensed possibility of a heightened communication; as though the discordantly invisible and the conspicuously enigmatic were reaching a delicately balanced harmony.” (319) 24 “When I arrived, the meeting was in session, just as I expected, and word had been left that it was not to be disturbed by anyone. It was obvious that they hadn't forgotten to notify me.” (332)

25 “Then I saw a fine black thread and pulled it from the trilled paper. There was a loop tied in the end. I slipped it over my finger and stood stretching it taut. And this time it danced. Clifton had been making it dance all the time and the black thread had been

away because it emphasizes the difference in skin color throughout the Brotherhood. This is significant because the leg is just an object in which is used to condone racism.

The white woman invites the narrator into her house, which appears to be wealthy. She is using the narrator as more of an object, to satisfy her sexual wants. Though she is extremely kind to him, he is nothing but a black man to her.

Blacks see the narrator’s position in the Brotherhood to be a betrayal of the black community. The even say that he has been white-washed and that he is on the whites’ side.

The doll that the narrator believed was dancing on its own was being moved by Clifton and a string. The thing he was in hatred of all along can actually be changed by himself and a piece of string.

Westrum thinks that by dramatizing the d...