Interpretation Of Invisible Man From The Perspective Of African American Initiation Story

Invisible Man tells an initiation story about a young black teenager who searches black culture and identity under discrimination.Invisible Man overturns traditional black people's figures.In literature,black people become well educated and strong-willed.Based on previous study,this paper applies the theory of initiation to analyze the particularity of black protagonist's initiation.The literature review includes previous research abroad and at home.There are American initiation theory and African American initiation theory.Combining initiation pattern,initiation element and initiation significance,this thesis concludes the main features of African American initiation story.Because of poverty,the protagonist has to face difficult initiation pattern.First is the innocence of the protagonist: ignorance of the black racial root and blind admiration for white people.Then he falls into confusion in New York when he finds the truth of those letters.Finally is an epiphany in Harlem.Initiation elements include initiation guides and companies.Initiation guides divide into two kinds,positive and negative initiation guide.Grandfather and Mary Rambo belong to positive initiation guides while Bledsoe and Jack belong to negative initiation guides.The protagonist has two initiation companies:Tod Clifton and Tarp.Because guides and companies haven't got good education,their influence is very limited.Initiation rituals are critical in the protagonist's life.It helps the protagonist to grow mature.First is coming of age ritual.Second is death and rebirth ritual.The novel also is an assurance of black people's humanity.African American initiation story is trans-cultural as a Non-mainstream culture.This thesis uses initiation theory,combined with initiation pattern,initiation element and initiation significance,and concludes the uniqueness of this novel.In Invisible Man,the protagonist is poor and his guides and companies haven't got good education,therefore the protagonist has no bright future.