As Jordyn Flows

[Currently, my english class is reading Ralph Ellison’s The Invisbile Man. Mr. Franek’s piece, “Bledso and Norton: Skylla and Charybdis” compares the protagonist and antagonist in both The Invsible Man and Homer’s Odyssey. His allusion to the Odyssey provoked me to think about a direct relationship that is quite visible in this novel: MVP’s vs. the Underdogs in society.]

Tension among race relations becomes visible in Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man. From the narrator’s life experiences, he looks at “the game” in society which is a race to attain success that is led by the big dogs who is the white race. In addition, this game is compromised of the underdogs, individuals who strive to become successful against all odds. As it appears in this novel, the white race is regarded as the MVP team/ big dogs and many African Americans are the underdogs, who are hoping to become members of this team as well (to them to play in the same conference would be enough). However, other African Americans are resentfully sitting on the bench, but at this point they no longer have the desire to help the MVP’s (the white race) remain at the top of the food chain. Why are these under dogs no longer training or “running” in order to be considered eligible to part take in this game? Well, ask the Invisible Man, he has all the answers. That is, if you can find him…

As I become engrossed in this engaging novel (by far my favorite book in the curriculum this year), I have gained some insight about how power functions among different races and social classes. At a young age, having yet been introduced to the corruptions involved in attaining and maintaining power, the invisible man did not regard himself as invisible. He mocks his naïve hopes while expressing that, “In those pre-invisible days I visualized myself as a potential Booker T. Washington” (18). Today, society would admire this young man’s ambition and thirst to make an impact on the world. However, throughout this novel the white race views this goal as simply impossible. As for Mr. Norton these words coincide with his so called “destiny.” From the white race’s response to this boy’s dreams, this invisible man will not and cannot contribute to the advancement of his own race. As for members of the invisible man’s race, it is evident through the actions of Mr. Bledsoe that the only way their personal wishes could be fulfilled is by: manipulating your competitors and authority, cutting the corners in “the game”, and compromising your own dignity.

What actions can this man take to overcome the limitations inflicted upon him due to his race? Like my English teacher Mr. Franek said, the invisible man is, “damned if [he does], damned if [he doesn’t].” Does he become tempted to tell the MVP team that they are a talented bunch when in fact they are not? Now smack dab in the middle of the book, it appears that the invisible man is interacting with the people on top with this self-deprecating manner. Yet, I do believe sooner or later Ralph Ellison’s wonderfully crafted and complex narrator will inevitably have an epiphany of what really lies behind everyone’s skin. Sadly, it appears that as the invisible man’s oblivion to race relations decreases, he will become more aware of his own invisibility.