The Narrator In Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man

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In Invisible Man written by Ralph Ellison, the main protagonist is not named and is referred to as “invisible man.” He is an African American male living in the 1930s. Invisible man originated from the Deep South and is currently roaming the New York streets. In chapter nine, the narrator is having a conversation with Mr. Emerson’s son. Through the conversation, the reader learns that the narrator is “nineteen...[who has] the build...[and can] probably make an excellent runner or a sprinter” (182-183). Ultimately, the narrator is young and is going through the journey of life. At the beginning of the book, the narrator explains “all my life I had been looking for something, and everywhere I turned someone tried to tell me what it was. I accepted their answers …show more content…

I was looking for myself and asking everyone except myself questions which, and only I, could answer ” (15). In other words, the narrator is portrayed as a person who battles with his self identity and is trying to figure out his place in society. His characterization is important because it helps build the conflict between himself, racism, and a battle of oppression. For example, when Mr. Norton wanted to go on a car ride, the narrator fell into conformity because in his eyes he must please a white man. Although the narrator struggles to figure out his role in society, the narrator is an ambitious and hopeful young man who seeks to obtain an education. Despite the narrator trying to succeed in life, he is blinded by conformity and has oppression as his constant obstacle. This can be seen when whites use him as entertainment at battle royal. Although he is in great pain and whites laugh at him as his life is endangered, at the end of the day, he cannot see their cruel intentions. Instead, he is filled with gratitude as in return for his “participation” at battle royal he has been given a passage to a 4 yr college. Another important character is Dr. Bledsoe, the president of the school. As the

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