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

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

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