Invisible Man

Throughout Invisible Man, it is clear that a major theme is white is right, and this philosophy appear to be the major problem for the narrator as well as other minor characters, but these characters were also facing problems within their own race. Just take a look at the narrator and how Dr. Bledsoe tricked him with the letters in an attempt to set the narrator up for failure and “keep him running”. Or, if you are not convinced, the brotherhood’s use of the narrator. The brotherhood, which was suppose to unite the African Americans of Harlem used the narrator and ended up creating an enemy out of him, as well as Brother Clifton. Then there is Ras, who uses violence to try to win the freedom that he feels the African Americans deserve, but he is making an enemy of the Brotherhood which is fighting for the same goal; just in a different manner.

Ellison not only highlighted the issue of black versus white, but the issue of black versus black. This issue is not just amongst the African American race; you could probably highlight the same issue within any race, but it comes down to a bigger issue. The entire issue of problems within a race stems from problems between people. Differing opinions create tensions and arguments because both sides feel that they are right and the other is wrong. A huge part of most problems is miscommunication between strong-willed people. Not that one person needs to give up on their argument, but someone has to be the bigger person and say that there is an issue that needs to be resolved. The moral of this novel comes down to the fact that we all just need to get along. (As cheesy as its sounds). The problem is not just black and white; it’s bigger than that.

“He believes in you as he believes in the beat of his heart. He believes in that great false wisdom taught slaves and pragmatists alike, that white is right. I can tell you his destiny. He’ll do your
bidding, and for that his blindness is his chief asset. He’s your man, friend. Your man and your destiny. Now the two of you descend the stairs into chaos and get the hell out of here,” (Ellison 95).

This quote is said by the black doctor at the Golden Day after Mr. Norton becomes ill over what he has seen in the old slave quarters. Mr. Norton could be considered an idealist because he wants to help young African Americans, and feels that the world can be changed; yet at the same time he believes that white is right, despite truly wanting to create change. Typically an idealist would probably not believe in this philosophy, but Mr. Norton is so naive about his own thoughts and actions that he does not realize that he is influencing the problems in some ways. When the doctor says, “His blindness is his chief asset, he means that Mr. Norton will not see the real horrors that the black race encounters. Then when the doctor says, “He’s your man and your destiny,” he is referring to the fact that the narrator is blind to the truth himself, and that he too will eventually be shocked when he recognizes what really goes on. The last line, “Descend the stairs into chaos,” refers to the fact that even though people are attacking each, there is prostitution, and other problems inside of the Golden Day, the people recognize the truth, while there are even more problems and people that do not recognize them outside the walls of the Golden Day.

Invisible Man is definitely a well-written novel that could be read multiple times, with new aspects, symbols, etc. being found each time. However, in my opinion, it was too long. By the time the narrator had reached New York and gotten involved with the Brotherhood, the theme of the novel was evident, but there continued to be more examples of the theme. By the end of the novel, it just seemed unnecessary that there were so many examples of how the Narrator was used, made into what others and not being what he wanted. The novel probably would have been just as powerful if some of it had cut out. I was honestly bored, and no longer cared what happened by the time the novel ended.