On Discipline And Resistance In Invisible Man In Light Of Foucault's Power Theory

Ralph Waldo Ellison(1914-1994)is one of the most brilliant and influential African-American writers in the 20th century.His only published novel during his lifetime,Invisible Man established his position in the history of American literature.Combining exquisite writing skill with social phenomenon,Invisible Man has caused great sensation since its publication in 1952.It was regarded as "an epoch-making novel,the epic of black life in modern America".In Invisible Man,Ellison explores the individual's submission,awakening of self-identity and resistance against the discipline of the mainstream ideology through the protagonist's searching for identity under the inevitable control of ruling power.His submission or resistance is not the consequence of his own choice but all the social power around him,which exactly echoes Foucault's power theory.This thesis combines Foucault's power theory with the novel to explore how the black people are disciplined and alienated by the ubiquitous racism of the American mainstream ideology and how they try to keep independent and resist against this powerful discourse.The protagonist is cultivated,educated and regulated in family,school and in the black and white community,in which racism and racial discrimination and segregation are widely accepted.Thus he internalizes these racial ideas and earnestly practices what other people advocates.He takes it for granted that whites are superior to blacks,obeys the rules in school,follows the suit of the white community and even is willing to be slaved to make himself popular among the white-dominated society.But all his efforts are in vain.In the end,his grandfather's last words and his friends' revealing the truth of the realities make him awaken to the truth.He begins to doubt about what he once believes in and resist against the white-dominated society to establish his own identity.From the perspective of Foucault's power and disciplinary theory,this thesis reveals that under the white-dominated society,black people are not only contained and regulated by racism popular in school and community but also willing to accept the mainstream ideology,becoming completely invisible.Fortunately,the protagonist awakens and begins to search for and establish his self-identity.This shows that Ellison is concerned about the miserable conditions of the black people.But he also holds optimistic view that black people finally rise up.