Invisible Man Analysis

Novel: Invisible Man
Author: Ralph Ellison
By: P. Yoon
Grade: 90%

The Individual in an Oppressive Society

During the 1900’s, millions of African-Americans were oppressed by the white power structure. The whites have robbed African-Americans of their culture and identities. The freedoms of blacks are limited by the stereotypes and expectations of whites. In response, Ralph Waldo Ellison protests against white society through his writings. Through his works, “Flying Home” and Invisible Man, Ellison describe the sufferings of African-Americans. The fate of every African-American is manipulated by whites. Todd, the protagonist of “Flying Home,” is a black pilot who suffers in a racist society. To be free from oppression, he wants an airplane. When his dream comes true, he’s still chained to stereotypes and racism. In the sky, he does not experience the freedom he has dreamed of. The judgment of whites are imposed on him. Todd is weighed down to others’ expectation, not as a individual, but as a representative of the black race. As the airplane represents his freedom, his white commanders set the destiny of the plane. Ralph Ellison states that African Americans have no control of their liberties. In Invisible Man, the narrator, IM (his name is not given), works as a chauffeur for a Mr. Norton. When IM drives Mr. Norton’s car, it seems like IM has full control of the car. However, this is proven false as Mr. Norton tells IM where to go. Like the airplane, IM’s freedom is manipulated by the white man. The destinies of both men lie in the hands of whites. They have many similarities, but Todd has a better understanding of the world and his place in it. In an oppressive nation, Todd understands and realizes that African Americans can fight for themselves.
The similarities between Todd and IM are apparent. They are black men struggling to survive. The white power structure is doing everything to destroy their identities. Both men endure humiliation and suffering as they are forced to stay in their places. In Invisible Man, the Brotherhood gives IM a new name and a new ideology to live by. IM becomes a tool for whites. Brother Jack tells IM that “For all of us, the committee does the thinking. For all of us of us. And you were not hired to think” (355). Under the whites, IM is not allowed to think and act by himself. His individuality is denied as he must “say nothing unless it is passed by the committee” (355). His every action needs to be approved by the men like Brother Jack. In comparison, Todd fights to be accepted by whites. He is not content with his skills or identity. Constantly, he has to “measure himself against the mirror of other men’s appreciation” (358). To advance in white society, Todd and IM have to act white. As they are caged to the expectations and demands of white men, they cannot set standards for themselves. Like animals, they are unable to acknowledge their pasts. After his crash, “the memory sickened him” and Todd “wanted to remember no more” (356). In comparison, IM becomes furious when he sees Brother Clifton, a fellow friend, selling Sambo dolls. He’s afraid the sambo dolls will reveal the past of his ancestors. The mistakes and sufferings of Todd and IM’s ancestors are suppressed in their minds. They cannot embrace their heritage. Thus, they distance themselves from their own people. When Todd meets Jefferson, Todd is ashamed of him as Jefferson is poor and uneducated. Likewise, IM blames men like Trueblood, a black man who commits incest, for bringing down the race. Each separates himself from other blacks. They are ashamed of their race and their black society. Furthermore, they live under white oppression because whites will “never accept mistakes as your own, but hold it against your whole race” (358). They are unable to exercise personal responsibility. After IM drives Mr. Norton to Trueblood’s cabin and a bar, he gets chastised by the school’s head, Dr. Bledsoe. “Instead of uplifting the race, you’ve torn it down” (108). As representatives of their race, whites watch and observe Todd and IM to make mistakes and tear down their race.
Additionally, both men are blind. They cannot see the tricks and tactics used by whites. They are unable to acknowledge the truth. When Jefferson tells an allegory about liberty and oppression, Todd “felt uneasy” and “wanted to laugh” (362). However, “his body refused, as of an independent will” (362) because Jefferson is telling the truth. Ellison states that blacks will never be given their liberties from whites. In Invisible Man, IM meets a vet doctor. When the vet doctor calls Mr. Norton “the lyncher of souls” and accuses IM for being “a walking zombie” who has ”learned to repress not only his emotions, but his humanity” (72), IM denies the allegations and calls the vet doctor insane. Both men are unable to face the truth as each is an “invisible, a walking personification of the Negative, the most perfect achievement of” (72) the white power structure. They cannot see their surroundings. Todd views his airplane and IM views his college education as paths to freedom and better lives. However, both are incorrect as Todd’s aircraft and IM’s education are made and provided by whites. Their accomplishments are attributed to their white fathers as their mistakes are attributed to their race. At the end of both stories, Todd and IM revolt against whites. In a straitjacket, Todd shouts “Don’t put your hands on me” (368) towards whites and begins to laugh hysterically. In a dream, IM bravely defends himself by stating “I’m not afraid now” (430) and laughs too. They finally enjoy true freedom through their laughter. Their laughter becomes their voices and enhances their presence. They publicly strip away their illusions and become free from oppression. Both men are willing to die with dignity, self-respect, and individualism. With “certain relief,” each becomes aware of his individuality as he opens his eyes. Through self-reliance and self-awareness, they find “salvation in an insane world of courage and humiliation” (369).
The differences between the IM and Todd become obvious at the end of the novel. After his dream, IM is fully aware of his invisibility. Thus, he denies his importance in society and his power to create change. As a writer and orator, IM is aware of the power of words. He declares he’s “invisible, not blind” (435). However, IM is blind to his environment and the events that have occurred around him. During the 20 years of his hibernation, his race have made significant gains in liberties. However, IM is blind to these gains. Instead of fighting for equality, he secludes himself from the world to rest. His detachment from the world distorts his view on reality. Even though his “world has become one of infinite possibilities” (435), IM cannot imagine a positive future for his people. With blood in his mouth, IM emphasizes the importance of “social responsibility” and “social equality” (25) at the smoker. However, IM fails to live up to his own words. He uses his invisibility to excuse himself from his responsibility to serve his race, community, and country. He understands that people like him are “hurt to the point of abysmal pain, hurt to the point of invisibility,” yet his hibernation is “overdone” (439). He blames “being invisible and without substance, a disembodied voice” (439) for his apathy and lack of action.
In sharp contrast, Todd has hope that his race will prevail. At the end of the Flying Home, Jefferson and Teddy carries away Todd. At one time, Todd was ashamed of men like Jefferson and Teddy because they are poor and black. But through his enlightenment, he embraces and appreciates men like Jefferson. Todd is “lifted out of his isolation” (369) with Jefferson’s help. The true “world of men” (369) are ruled by blacks true to their race. When Todd used to imitate whites to be accepted, he lived in a illusion. The white world offered him false hope, advancement, and liberty. When his eyes become open, Todd sees a buzzard “glide into the sun and glow like a bird of flaming gold” (369). In the story, “dark” buzzards symbolizes African-Americans and Jim Crow society. Todd understands that his people will eventually glow and shine in America. Blacks will defeat oppression in America if they join and communicate with each other. Along with men like Jefferson, Todd is ready to fight for his black liberties. He understands that horrors of oppression will never “seize him again” (369) as he holds an optimistic view of the future.
Todd and IM have considerable knowledge of the world. However, Todd has a better understanding of the world as he believes every man can make a difference. Todd understands that “social responsibility” is needed to acquire “social equality” (25). Every man has the responsibility to fight for freedom. Todd knows that social equality cannot be achieved until all African-Americans can love and respect each other. In Invisible Man, IM believes the world will always belong to whites. Therefore, he concludes that his whole race is invisible. In contrast, Todd believes that each individual has worth in the world. As he sees the buzzard “glide into the sun and glow like a bird of flaming gold,” he hears the “soft humming” (369) of Teddy. A man’s voice is always audible and his actions are always visible in a chaotic world. In a world of suffering, there will always be hope.
Through Flying Home and Invisible Man, Ellison declares that every man has a social responsibility. Todd and IM acknowledge this fact, but Todd has a better understanding of it. Throughout life, a man must not forget about his past and future. “Flying home” is everyone’s social responsibility. “Home” represents one’s culture and heritage. It also represents a society free of oppression. No matter how difficult it is, each man must strive to fly and reach this “home.”