Inveisible Man: Reconstruction Of The Self

Throughout his life, Ralph Ellison had published one epic-scope novel, Invisible Man (1952) and collections of short stories and essays. His second novel, Juneteenth, edited by his literary executor John F. Callahan, was published posthumously in 1999. Ellison's reputation as a fiction writer, however, rested primarily on Invisible Man. It is widely perceived that the great classic in American literature, deeply rooted in African American culture and experience, is not just representative of African America and of America, but also a highly pertinent commentary on the human condition in the twentieth century and beyond. The novel relates a story in which a black young man struggles in the society until he discovers his invisibility since people around refuse to see him. Finally he retreats underground and lives a life of isolation. Reflecting on the past experience, he prepares himself for the future emergence to take social responsibility. The theme of identity is what Ellison mainly concerns himself with. The relevant question of responsibility is one worth exploring. The thesis focuses on whether the protagonist could return to the ground and play a social role.The thesis consists of three chapters.Introduction proposes the research question. That is, could the invisible man return to the society to take social responsibility? Scholars have provided various answers, because the question is crucial to the understanding of the invisibility theme. The thesis attempts to explore the question from the perspective of the novel's structure and of the protagonist's thinking pattern and reach its own conclusion.Chapter One traces the process in which the protagonist searches for his self-identity but ends in failure. The protagonist believes that if he conforms to the principle of being compliant and humble, he will be recognized by the society. It is this single consciousness that subjects him to repeated betrayals by others. He has to accept the duplicitous strategy that his grandfather conveys on the deathbed.Unfortunately, this double consciousness does not lead the protagonist to success. At the end, the protagonist is driven underground and lives the life of a recluse.Chapter Two analyzes the circular structure the novel employs and reveals the unavoidable fate the protagonist faces. In those experiences similar to each other, the protagonist gradually makes for the hellish hole which symbolizes his destiny. He begins to reflect on his whole life and recognizes his invisibility. He sees the evil of the outside world and the hypocrisy of the authorities. He is repeatedly manipulated and betrayed. At present, he is placed in a dilemma. If coming out, he will be controlled again; if staying there, he will become an utter invisible man. Because finding no solutions, he stands little chance of returning to the society.Chapter Three holds that the protagonist's thinking pattern prevents him from emerging out of his underworld. His experience teaches him that no social institutions or collective activities are trustworthy. The attitude of skepticism makes it impossible for him to recognize the positive aspects of social institutions. The unwillingness to yield shows the confrontation between individuals and society. His salvation comes when he returns to himself and redefines the relationship between the self and the society.The thesis concludes that the protagonist cannot surface from his underground world to take social responsibility because he is not accepted by the society. After recognizing the truth, one either accommodates himself to society or withdraw from it to become an outsider, because an individual is too weak to defy the strong social forces. That constitutes an indictment of the society and its values. The hope of change lies in the reflection on and reconstruction of the relationship between the self and the society.