Literary Elements and Techniques

Evan M.
All great novels are full of metaphors, symbols, underlying themes and various messages that we can learn from. Ralph Ellison's "The Invisible Man" has numerous literary elements throughout the book. The novels overall theme is repeated and emphasized all throughout it. Ellison makes it quite evident that he believes people are blind to many things. Also, Ellison talks of the "invisibility" of certain people, mainly African-Americans, or other minorities. I believe that Ellison is trying to open the readers mind to these topics and hopefully help change these ongoing problems that our country has become so accustomed to. This theme is one of the many literary elements that Ellison utilizes in his work.

In the beginning of the book, the narrator, who remains nameless, is forced to fight in a boxing ring. He is blindfolded, just like the others put in the ring, and survives untill the last round. The boys are used as entertainment for the white men. The blindfolds represent African-Americans inability to see the harsh racism that truly exists. The fact that they are forced to fight in a ring symbolizes how the white males portray them. The boys are stripped of their individuality and depicted as cruel, violent animals. After the fight, the narrator gives a speech that includes direct references to the views of Booker T. Washington. The narrator states that he believes if blacks work hard than the whites would grant them equality. Ellison emphasizes the "blindness" of the blacks and that they fail to see the intense and unchangeable racism. The speech includes allusions to Washington and the emphasis of the novels overall theme.

The narrator remembers his time at college where he idolized the statue of the schools founder who was a black man. The statue is described as cold and empty. The founder remains annonymous and I think that this symbolizes how black people exist but are overlooked and in societies eye, invisible. Ellison does not say his name just like the narrator or Booker T. Washington. The character of Mr. Norton represents the quintessential racist, rich ,white male that African Americans are blind to because of his clandestine racism.

Another symbolic character is the veteran. He is the only character to see the truth but he is labeled insane for seeing what is beneath the surface. Ellison used an old and wise character t osee the reality of racism and kept him nameless as well.

Finally, Ellison uses many literary elements and techniques throughout the novel. Various references are made, symbols, metaphor and images all help to emphasize Ellisons overall theme. I believe thsi problem still exists but I think that if we can all open our eyes to this conflict we may be able to coexist in a more equal society.