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Society Exposed In Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man

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Society Exposed In Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man
It is apparent that society shapes the way people behave and think. Society enforces the unwritten rules that everyone is expected to follow—those who don’t obey are considered outcasts. This same model can be found in many works of literature including Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. The unnamed main character in this novel faces two seemingly different societies with the same underlying expectations—be obedient and compliant. The fictional society the main character lives in is riddled with extreme racism and prejudice towards African-Americans; once the main character realizes this, he becomes a new man in more ways than one. Ellison took inspiration for his novel’s setting from the time of segregation in the United States. The idea …show more content…
The main character was awestruck by how different the relationship between white people and black people were—there was actually a minute sense of equality. “I have never seen so many black people against a background of brick buildings, neon signs, plate glass and roaring traffic…For me this was not a city of realities, but dreams…a new world of possibility suggested itself to me…”(158-159). However, the new atmosphere did not change the overall feelings for African Americans. There was still a definite hint of white supremacy and racial prejudice in Northern society. Even in atmospheres where equality and acceptance seemed to fill the air, nothing could eliminate the racist mindset of the people. This can be seen in the police violence against black people and in the social revolution group called The Brotherhood. “…So she doesn’t think I am black enough. What does she want, a black-face comedian?... ‘Nonsense, all colored people sing’… ‘…the police didn’t care…He was shot because he was black and because he resisted. Mainly because he was black.’”(303,312,469).The main character developed a false sense of acceptance and security in this atmosphere. He truly believed things were …show more content…
The main character of Invisible Man was molded to be obedient and accepting of the idea that he was of a lower standing than white people. This type of ideology implemented constraints and brought challenges to the character. Once he discovered the prejudice and racist society he lived in, he found a sense of freedom and a new rebellious spirit. Society changed the main character in more ways than one and all for the
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