Motifs In Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man

Ralph Ellison’s “Invisible Man” is intricate novel that does an excellent job at exhibiting motifs that the author himself felt passionate towards considering the era he lived in. Among the plethora of motifs that Ralph Ellison embedded three particular categories that can be constructed. These categories of concepts addressed in Ellison's classic are the following: Human Identity, Art and Understanding, and Human Existence.

Human Identity is presented by a prevalent theme portrayed in this novel, but in order to understand, we must first composed a definition. Identity constitutes of self-perception and public perception. The motif in “Invisible Man” illuminates (in respect to Human Identity) is that there stalemate that is at hand with individuals

reliance on external views as opposed to the primary component to identity--self perception . The narrator’s situation is the paragon example for this focus on public perception that results in an individual being mouse on a wheel. At the begin of is coming-of-age work of literature the protagonist was “asking others questions that only [he] knew the answer to.” This situations perseveres only until after the protagonist (narrator) undergoes a lobotomy that but it wasn't because of the operation. He found this identity because he came to the realization of the cruelty of humankind. Without a doubt this was a pivotal moment for the narrator quest for identity, but he has a tendency (like most human) to find leadership in someone other than himself. Toward the middle of the novel, the narrator subconsciously becomes reliant on the brotherhood for his identity. He does everything for the brotherhood content; Until the it clicks in his head that he was in charge of his life.That he tried of being impotent. And he takes it upon himself to become an invisible man. And to write reflection of his own self discovery. This novel itself shows that people must separate themselves from others to unearth identity.
Language is an art.

Specifically, in this novel, Analogy is much of an art. For that particular reason the theme that analogy has the power that is capable of inducing understanding an overriding every position of potential obstacle. In essence Art yields understanding that results in devotion to a certain cause. A good example for this is the situation at the eviction of the elderly couple. Instead of being literal in his call-for-action speech, The narrator chose a figurative route. This simple yet concise analogy of the blind man was able to make the audience act out on the situation. We later find out that this event was beyond any form of retaliation that the community had ever done on the authorities. After coming into contact with the brotherhood the narrator continues to be glorified of the acts on the day. There scientific approach had never been able to result in the same actions. Another occasion that the art of analogy is able to invoke understanding and drive is the narrator's first speech for the brotherhood. With the help of analogy (such as when he compared this situation to the fly on food) the narrator is able to be a speaker that is comparable to Booker T Washington. Washington was a figure in history who was prominent because of his use of words. His most famous analogy is the bucket and the lost sailor. This was a speech that utilized comparison was able to sway a large portion to understand accomodation was a more favorable the retaliation. Both the

narrator and Booker T. are two individuals that were able to explore the universal theme articulation through art is effective in delivering apprehension.
The concept of human existence is undertaken by shining a light on reality that clearly depicted throughout “Invisible Man”.

Ellison’s method in doing so by incorporating the motif that America houses a survival of the fittest type of environment, and the top predator will not allow anything to jeopardize its position. When someone start climbing to the top, the itsy bitsy spider gets washed down the waterspout, and does get to make a second trip. One separate occasion that highlights the selfish nature of the human race is the fact that the University president, Dr. Bledsoe, undergoes his deceptive and insidious scheme to quench his thirsty for power and order. In interest of maintaining his rank, Bledsoe was willing to ruin the narrator’s life and send him a wild goose chase. He did this is spite of all the narrators potential in pursuing a post secondary education. He even had the audacity to grant the narrator false hope. Another similar circumstance arises when the man who worked in the factory basement (Mr Brockway) purposely exploded the machinery, because, possibly, because he saw potential in the narrator to replace him. Brockways levity in murdering, yet again, illustrates humans can not stand to see themselves be surpassed and will do anything to maintain their stature. While working for the brotherhood a similar event mirrors the events previously mentioned. It happens to be the incident with the interview. The “so called” brother (Westrum) deliberately

sabotaged the narrator rapid success with false accusations. Brother Westrum (like the majority of the brothers) could not stand to see young man who never graduated college preform at a level higher than that of himself. Therefore I have come to the conjecture that their was an internal cult in the brotherhood against the narrator because he was eventually going to replace a brother of higher standing. Ellison also utilized peripheral commentary to portray this theme on human existence. For instance, the situation of the blinned renowned boxer final fight can also have the potential to demonstrate this theme. The opposing fighter was also mostly likely one of the top predators in the boxing realm, thus he couldn't stand the possibility that this man would be able to surpass his ability. So he decided to break all morals to maintain his position, and he blinded his only competition. These situations somewhat mirror that narrators nightmare in where his the final letter said “Keep this nigger boy running.” This recurrence displays the catholic theme that a human will do follow through with any action if it will save himself/herself.
Is is evident that Ellison, the author, wanted his story to be more than just a story. He wanted it to be a lesson(s). He wanted it to be didactic. Which is exactly what it was. Despite being a the only novel that Ralph Waldo Ellison completed, the themes embedded in this classic novel could have their own book and are of more quantity than most writers are able to incorporate in nine novels. These are only three of the hundreds concepts addressed by via catholic motifs in “Invisible Man” .