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.