Introduction to the prose "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison - SS1 Literature Lesson Note

Introduction

Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man is a semi-autobiographical novel that tells the story of an unnamed black man's journey to self-discovery in a racist society. The novel was published in 1952 to critical acclaim and won the National Book Award. It is considered one of the greatest American novels of the 20th century and a seminal work of African American literature.

Background of the Author

Ralph Ellison was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in 1914. He grew up in the Jim Crow South and experienced racism firsthand. He attended Tuskegee Institute on a scholarship and studied music. After college, he moved to New York City, where he worked as a writer and editor. He also became involved in the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural movement that celebrated African American art and culture.

Background and Setting of the Prose

Invisible Man is set in the early 20th century, primarily in the American South and Harlem, New York. The novel explores the effects of racism on black identity and the struggle for self-determination.

Plot Summary/Statement of Sequence of Events

The novel begins with the narrator living in an underground basement, where he has been hiding for several years. He recounts his journey from a naive young man in the South to a disillusioned and alienated man in Harlem.

The narrator grows up in a small Southern town, where he is taught to be humble and subservient to whites. He attends a black college, where he is expelled for challenging a white trustee. He then moves to Harlem, where he joins the Brotherhood, a communist organization. However, he becomes disillusioned with the Brotherhood's rigid ideology and leaves.

After leaving the Brotherhood, the narrator becomes involved in a series of misadventures. He is betrayed by his friends and lovers, and he is subjected to violence and discrimination. He eventually realizes that he is invisible to white society, that they do not see him as a human being.

The novel ends with the narrator still living in his basement, but he has come to accept his invisibility. He realizes that he must define himself on his own terms, regardless of how white society sees him.

Show Cause-Effect Relationship

The novel's plot is driven by the narrator's experiences of racism and discrimination. His invisibility is a result of the way white society sees him. He is invisible because he is not seen as a fully human being.

The narrator's invisibility has a profound impact on his life. It leads to his disillusionment, alienation, and self-loathing. It also makes it difficult for him to form meaningful relationships with others.

Themes and Style

Invisible Man explores a number of themes, including racism, identity, self-determination, and the nature of reality. The novel is written in a lyrical and poetic style, and it often uses symbolism and allegory.

Examining the Themes

The theme of racism is central to Invisible Man. The narrator's invisibility is a metaphor for the way black people are dehumanized and marginalized in white society. The novel also explores the impact of racism on black identity. The narrator struggles to define himself in a society that does not see him as a human being.

The theme of self-determination is also important in Invisible Man. The narrator's journey is a journey of self-discovery. He must learn to define himself on his own terms, regardless of how white society sees him.

Analyzing the Style

Ellison's writing style is lyrical and poetic. He uses vivid imagery and sensory details to create a vivid and immersive world for the reader. He also uses symbolism and allegory to convey his themes.

For example, the narrator's invisibility symbolizes the way black people are dehumanized and marginalized in white society. The Brotherhood's underground headquarters symbolizes the narrator's isolation and alienation.

Relating the Themes to Personal Life Encounters

The themes of Invisible Man are still relevant today. Racism is still a significant problem in our society, and black people continue to be dehumanized and marginalized. The novel also explores the importance of self-determination and the struggle to define oneself in a society that does not see you as a human being.

I have personally experienced racism in my own life. I have been told that I am not smart enough, that I am not qualified for certain jobs, and that I do not belong in certain places. I have also been stereotyped and discriminated against.

However, I have also learned to define myself on my own terms. I know who I am, and I am proud of who I am. I am not going to let racism define me.

Invisible Man is a powerful and inspiring novel that can help us to understand the effects of racism and the importance of self-determination. It is a novel that everyone should read.