A Piece Of Blues From The Soul Of American Blacks

Ralph Ellison is an outstanding black writer in American literature and history. His masterpiece Invisible Man has been considered as one of the most influential American novels after World War II. Numerous critical works have noticed the weightiness of music on Ellison's life, especially the black blues music—the unique art form of American blacks. Yet few have made in-depth analysis on how blues is woven into Invisible Man. From the perspective of blues music, this thesis endeavors to analyze the novel's musical characteristics, either explicit or implicit, and also aims to explore a new entrance to the understanding of Ralph Ellison and Invisible Man.Blues is the characteristic of black vernacular and the original source of black literature. The thesis introduces the literary blues theories from three black critics, Houston Baker, Albert Murray, and Ellison himself. Based on their theories and the thesis author's detailed analysis of the text, Invisible Man is proved to be an excellent "blues novel."The novel resembles blues in its form, content, and spirit. In form, Ellison makes creative use of blues techniques, such as improvisation, riffing, and call-and-response. The three parts of the novel—prologue, body, and epilogue are like a rounded rhythmic pattern. In content, the plaintive blues "What Did I Do to Be so Black and Blue," sung by the famous blues singer Louis Armstrong, becomes the theme song of the novel. Blues serves as the soundtrack and succeed in converting the literal to the visual and the audible. Blues spirit also finds fully expression in the novel. By singing the blues, the blacks not only express their pains and hardships but also regain strength and courage to face the chaotic reality. Blues becomes the most direct and safe means for the blacks to shout for their cultural identity.Therefore, blues supplies bone and flesh for Invisible Man, which is an indispensable part of Ellison's black cultural heritage. Now Invisible Man remains in the canon of American literature with its unique style and artistic charm.