Invisible Man

Ralph Ellison, in his novel Invisible Man, tells a story about an “invisible” man–the narrator–who hides from the harsh reality of the real world.   All throughout his life he is overlooked and never seen as a helpful contribution to society.   Yet his battle trying to find his individual identity and escape racism, his strife conquering his invisibility, and his conflict with society all add to the “moral reconciliation” the narrator has at the end of the novel, which creates a truly happy ending.
Unquestionably, the major theme in this novel is racism hindering the journey to individual identity. Throughout the story, the narrator constantly tries to be something he is not– he attempts to conform to the stereotypical black man in society.   In the 1930s, blacks were not granted their own identity, rather they were expected to fit into the white man’s expectations.   After moving to New York, the narrator becomes a part of the organization known as the Brotherhood.   They want him to give speeches to the community, but force him to use certain terms and phrases unique to the organization.   After following all of the rules and thinking he is finally being accepted in society, he realizes that the Brotherhood is just using him for their bigger project–allowing Harlem to fall into great chaos–and really do not care about him.   Once again the narrator goes back into his life of invisibility.   It is not until the end of the book when he accepts his race and realizes that he has the power to make his role on earth influential, as long as he does not follow the “rules” the whites make up for the blacks of society.     After living many years in his hole ignoring his race and all sense of responsibility, he decides to come out and take on his role of social responsibility, forcing himself to become visible.
In addition to the theme, the motif of invisibility is a major part of the novel.   The narrator describes himself as an “invisible man” because the rest of the people... [continues]

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