Literature
Analysis #1-Invisible Man
1.
The
plot consists of the narrator’s progression in establishing his identity. The
epilogue of the novel shows his initial state of mind before recounting his
life story. The narrator demonstrates his invisibility as a young black man in
the late 1920's during the Harlem Renaissance. The plot of the novel expresses
his growth in age and wisdom throughout his experience and opportunity over the
course of the story. The story serves as a building stone to express the
narrator's initial and final mentality of the world based on his distinguished
tone of voice from the prologue to the epilogue. The narrative elaborates on
the social equality and justice that the world must obtain in order for there
to be accurate visibility and perception. Ellison implies this theme by giving
the narrator naive characteristics until he finally comes to an understanding
of his true identity and capability during the time period set in the novel.
His motive simply incorporates the topic of identity and how each person
remains invisible until they finally realize and completely understand their
purpose in life.
2.
As I stated before, the theme of the novel is
based on identity. The narrator never fully understands his true identity until
he draws into his adolescence and realizes the circumstances during his time
period. As a black man in the late 1920's, he is not equal to the superior
white man. The narrator does not realize this until the end of the novel, in
which he finally comes out of "hibernation" and decides to make a
change in the world. This decision leads to his revelation and visibility as a
person in society.
3.
The
author's tone changes depending on the character speaking. For example, at the
beginning of the novel, the narrator is speaking about his life. He appears to
be a mad man who is angry at the world. "Or again, you often doubt if you
really exist. You wonder whether you aren't simply a phantom in other people's
minds. Say, a figure in a nightmare which the sleeper tries with all his strength
to destroy. It's when you feel like this that, out of resentment, you begin to
bump people back. And, let me confess, you feel that way most of the time. You
ache with the need to convince yourself that you do exist in the real world,
that you're a part of all the sound and anguish, and you strike out with your
fists, you curse and you swear to make them recognize you. And, alas, it's
seldom successful."(Prologue.2) "To Whom It May Concern," I intoned. "Keep This
Nigger-Boy Running?" (1.105)
4.
-Allegory
(epilogue, prologue): In the epilogue and the prologue the author compares the
narrator to a bear in hibernation secluded from society in which he comes out of
hibernation in the prologue. Imagery: In chapters sixteen and seventeen Ralph
Ellison gives a complete description of Brother Tod Clifton as the ideal black
man. -Symbolism: The name of the paint in which the narrator was forced to
create was called "Optic White". In order for this color to be
created the darker colors had to be covered up which is symbolic to the society
of the late 1920's. -Irony: The narrator takes on a job at Liberty Paints. The
company goes by the slogan "White is Right", which contradicts the
narrator's identity as an African American in need of liberty and equality.
-Diction: The author uses the diverse language of Ras the Extorter to exemplify
the difference in voice and tone between the characters. -Flashback: The
narrator receives dreams of his grandfather which help to come to an
understanding of how to overcome the racial inequality during his time.
(Chapters 22-24) -Foreshadowing:
Characterization:
1. Direct
Characterization: "I am not ashamed of my grandparents for having been
slaves. I am only ashamed of myself for having at one time been ashamed."
(Chapter 1) This quotation demonstrates the narrator's identity as an African
American.
Indirect Characterization: I am
invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me. (Prologue.1)
2. The syntax and diction changes throughout the book, depending on what
the author was writing out about.
3. The
protagonist is a dynamic and round character because he changes throughout the
story. Especially from the epilogue and the prologue. As the narrator gets
older, he starts to understand society and he begins to realize that he must
make changes in order for social equality to take place.
4. After
reading the novel, I feel like I met a person because I was allowed into his
thoughts and actions throughout the story. For example, at the beginning of the
novel, I felt his invisibility and I was able to understand it especially
because it relates to my history and background. As the narrator came to an
understanding of how the world changes, I myself came to that understanding as
well despite the difference in circumstances from the late 1920's to now.
