This paper discusses the theme of dividing people by race in the novel, Invisible Man, by Ralph Ellison.
This paper discusses that, when an individual is seen only in the context of his or her ethnic group, they are invisible to the world as in Ellison’s `Invisible Man`. The author discusses stereotyping of black men, as presented in the book, and then extends the discussion to American Indians and Asian Americans. The paper concludes that a positive stereotype image has negative consequences, for those who get locked in a labeled box and for those who use the label, for they never see the individual apart from the group whole. Annotated bibliography.
`Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man is the story of a young black man trying to gain recognition among white society. In the prologue, Ellison’s character, who remains nameless throughout the book, say, `I am one of the most irresponsible beings that ever lived. Irresponsibility is part of my invisibility; any way you face it, it is a denial. But to whom can I be responsible, and why should I be, when you refuse to see me? Eager to please, eager to belong, the young man gains acceptance to a college and models himself after a college dean, Dr. Bledsoe, a well respected, successful black man. To seek a role model is a normal for any young person, whether black or white.”