Examples Of Conformity In Invisible Man

The Question of Conformity
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson. This short quote exemplifies the struggle faced by the main character in Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man. Throughout the course of the novel, the narrator encounters a string of communities, each illustrating a microcosm of society as a whole. It is through these encounters that the narrator attempts to give his life definition. However, by adhering to the standards forced upon him, he discovers that his complexity as an individual is limited. The conflict arising from outward conformity provokes reflection. However, the tension between conformity and questioning illustrates how societal

standards stifle personal identity.
At the beginning of the book the narrator enters college with an innocent outlook on the authority of whites. For instance, before the disastrous events of the Golden Day, the narrator happily chauffeured Mr. Norton in hopes of advancing his own station. The narrator reflects, “Of course I knew he was a founder, but I knew also it was advantageous to flatter rich white folks. Perhaps he’d give me a large tip, or a suit, or a scholarship next year” (Ellison 38). In this passage the narrator explains the benefits of playing the polite subservient role, yet by self-reflecting on his underhanded attempt at advancement he begins to show some understanding of how to exploit the discriminatory power structure. Unfortunately, he does not yet realize the full extent to which his double life must be utilized. In the words of the Golden Day Vet, “ Play the game, but play it your own way” (153). It is clear that the narrator is taking part in this “game” society has created, but he is not an active player, rather a pawn being moved around by forces outside of his control. This naive perspective does not encompass the entire scope of the Vet’s advice, which causes the narrator to clash with Bledsoe, ultimately leading to his expulsion.
The differing ideas on how to conform to white expectations are exhibited by the clash between the narrator and Bledsoe.

The narrator’s beliefs lie in obedience, while Bledsoe holds to a much more complex interpretation. For example, after being accused of purposely taking Mr. Norton to the slave quarters, the narrator tries to explain his innocence, stating that “‘he asked me to’” (102). However, Bledsoe responds, “‘Damn what he wants… We take these white folks where we want them to go, we show them what we want them to see’” (102). This statement, which clearly illustrates Bledsoe’s conformist ideology, strikes a blow at the core beliefs of the narrator, causing him to question how his obedience to white authority could land him in such a predicament. Despite keeping “unswervingly to the path placed before [him],” (146) the narrator struggles to comprehend how his dutiful actions could lead to the destruction of his future. This shattering of beliefs forces him to adopt an even more stringent policy of conformism as he heads off to New York. However, his attempts at conforming to the expectations of the college fail miserably, furthering him along his path towards individual identity. This act of disenchantment is a step in the right direction on his path towards personal

growth.
At the beginning of his time in New York the narrator tries to develop an identity to conform to his new surroundings, but can not help but feel confused by its contradiction. Before heading into his first interview he makes a promise to purposefully change the way he speaks. The narrator remarks, “Here in the North I would slough off my southern ways of speech. Indeed, I would have one way of speaking in the North and another in the South.” (164). This passage personifies language as a burden that needs to be shed despite being such an integral part of a person’s culture. Furthermore, the nonchalance in parting with a piece of his identity shows just how willing he is to conform to the expectations of a society dominated by whites. In spite of this, his eagerness is tempered by introspective dreams of his grandfather. The narrator reflects, “But that night I dreamed of my grandfather and awoke depressed. I walked out of the building with a queer feeling that I was playing a part in some scheme which I did not understand” (170). Here, the narrator begins to comprehend that his attempts at conforming are ultimately misguided. With this in mind, his ability to recognize a more sinister “scheme” brings him much closer to unraveling the truth about the danger of conformity. The deeply rooted emotions that are dredged up in the form of dreams serve to show the inner conflict that arises from shedding one’s identity.
The final step in the narrator’s journey is during his time with the Brotherhood.

It is with this organization that he is able to discern the ulterior motives of the white authority who have been stringing him along like a puppet. One such reflection occurred after he was presented to a Brotherhood associate named Emma. She asks, “‘But don’t you think he should be a little blacker?’... Maybe she wants me to sweat coal tar, ink, shoe polish, graphite. What was I, a man or a natural resource?” (303). Her comment reveals the Brotherhood’s intention of using the narrator as a means to achieve their goals, and the connections he makes between his own life and that of a “natural resource” emphasizes the utilitarian purpose he serves. Similarly, after a meeting with Hambro, the culmination of the narrator’s past experiences result in a moment of profound disillusionment. The narrator exclaims, “[Jack, Norton, and Emerson] were all very much the same, each attempting to force his picture of reality on upon me and neither giving a hoot in hell for how things looked to me. I was simply a material, a natural resource to be used” (508). This passage neatly summarizes the narrator’s struggle with identity. He finally sees that racial prejudices limit the complexity of his life to the rigid social structures erected by society. Over the course of his time with the Brotherhood, the narrator discovers that the prejudice of others creates a veil that only allows them to see what they want to

see, freeing him from the limitations of society.
Outward conformity provokes reflection, which consequently leads one to realize how societal expectations limit a person’s individual identity. To paraphrase Emerson’s quote, finding one’s identity in a world that constantly forces conformity is an amazing feat. It is through conformity that the narrator attempts to advance himself despite the discriminatory power structure set forth by society. His naive efforts fail due to his limited understanding of the ulterior motives of white authority. However, this cycle of disillusionment progresses him towards the realization that adhering to forced expectations will only serve to promote an inauthentic identity. This newfound knowledge frees him from the limitations of society, and better prepares him to combat the pressure of conformity. Even if it means playing an inauthentic role, the ability to recognize the dangers of conformity allows the narrator to reinvent himself while also subverting the pressures of the world around him.