Novel Analysis
Exposition:
Setting-
The setting of invisible man is parallel with the time period, as well as the context of New York in the years presented in the book. The description of how the people dress as well as their behavior creates the idea of the notion of time and place which gives the story credibility. The use of imagery presented by the author creates a vivid illusion of society at that time period . For example in chapter one the scene at the hotel where the main character is giving his speech is described with characteristics that predominate the era, “I was shocked to see some of the most important men of the town quite tipsy. They were all there -- bankers, lawyers, judges, doctors, fire chiefs, teachers, merchants. Even one of the more fashionable pastors..” (Ellison, Pg. 20). The traditions that were described in this scene are general habits employed by the men in the 50’s. By exhibiting the way society lived at the time the story took place in, the author is including details that established the book credible and not a mockery of the serious topic it carries in it which is segregation, racism, and the impact of being "invisible".
The setting of invisible man is parallel with the time period, as well as the context of New York in the years presented in the book. The description of how the people dress as well as their behavior creates the idea of the notion of time and place which gives the story credibility. The use of imagery presented by the author creates a vivid illusion of society at that time period . For example in chapter one the scene at the hotel where the main character is giving his speech is described with characteristics that predominate the era, “I was shocked to see some of the most important men of the town quite tipsy. They were all there -- bankers, lawyers, judges, doctors, fire chiefs, teachers, merchants. Even one of the more fashionable pastors..” (Ellison, Pg. 20). The traditions that were described in this scene are general habits employed by the men in the 50’s. By exhibiting the way society lived at the time the story took place in, the author is including details that established the book credible and not a mockery of the serious topic it carries in it which is segregation, racism, and the impact of being "invisible".
Characters-
The author uses different characters in order to show all the faces of society and how their role affected the ideals of people in America. Each character represent a stereotype in United States:
The narrator (the "Invisible Man"): This is the main character in the novel who symbolizes a transparent man with confused ideas. He states throughout his novel that he is invisible and this is because of his lack of confidence as well as his puzzled ideas which do not let him find his identity or his role in society . This was a common characteristic throughout the society at the time period since people didn’t have a clear idea of what liberty meant so they tend to confuse it with the breeze of freedom, which was a mockery from the Anglo-Saxon society. For example when the main character, as well as his other schoolmates, fight in the first chapter to get the coins from the floor and then they realize they were fake. This constant abuse that often was used to put in ridicule of the African American society.
The author uses different characters in order to show all the faces of society and how their role affected the ideals of people in America. Each character represent a stereotype in United States:
The narrator (the "Invisible Man"): This is the main character in the novel who symbolizes a transparent man with confused ideas. He states throughout his novel that he is invisible and this is because of his lack of confidence as well as his puzzled ideas which do not let him find his identity or his role in society . This was a common characteristic throughout the society at the time period since people didn’t have a clear idea of what liberty meant so they tend to confuse it with the breeze of freedom, which was a mockery from the Anglo-Saxon society. For example when the main character, as well as his other schoolmates, fight in the first chapter to get the coins from the floor and then they realize they were fake. This constant abuse that often was used to put in ridicule of the African American society.
The grandfather: This is an important character in the novel even if it only appears once in the main characters anecdotes and memories. He affects the readers perspective on what the role for African Americans should be in society. The ideas of the grandfather was to stay obedient and not to cause trouble, however in his last minutes he acknowledge that, yes, African Americans should not cause problems but they have to be alert and think for themselves. This is a common misunderstanding of the time period. Many thought that segregation was correct because they had never experienced full freedom. They thought they had everything that they deserved and continued giving credit to the white regimen for it.
Jack: This characters is important for the development of the novel because it symbolize the empties ideas behind the roles of the brotherhood on the leadership of African Americans. At first he is nice to the main character as well as generous but in the Trans curse of the story he starts showing that he is a puppet of the so called brotherhood .Jack conforms with the ideas proportionate by the corrupt and destructive brotherhood which only goal is to spread the non concrete ideas and prejudices to the African American society.
Ras: This characters offer a view on society as a leader who speak with charisma and strong position. This character represent many of the leaders ideas in that time period which was we fight if they are fighting and why should we should love if they respond with hatred. Even though his ideas were powerful and people follow him, the author didn’t agree with him. However this not cause a negative description when describing him but much more like respect.
Conflicts-
In this novel one of the conflicts is “man vs. men” and this is develop when the main character joins the brotherhood from which he later on discovers all of the atrocious actions they had done behind his back. When he decide to make a public funeral for Clifton who had been killed by the police, without consulting the brotherhood. This is when the conflict starts between the main character and the brotherhood which leads to an outstanding ending where the author finally realize his true self which also is one of the main conflicts through the novel “man vs himself”. Another main conflict that is observe through the novel is “man vs himself” this conflict is illustrated by the lack of individuality and the confusion towards his roles in society. This conflict originated from his grandfather last worse which became a present puzzle to the main character. Both of this conflicts are what give strength to the novel as well as it develops a lesson for the reader.
In this novel one of the conflicts is “man vs. men” and this is develop when the main character joins the brotherhood from which he later on discovers all of the atrocious actions they had done behind his back. When he decide to make a public funeral for Clifton who had been killed by the police, without consulting the brotherhood. This is when the conflict starts between the main character and the brotherhood which leads to an outstanding ending where the author finally realize his true self which also is one of the main conflicts through the novel “man vs himself”. Another main conflict that is observe through the novel is “man vs himself” this conflict is illustrated by the lack of individuality and the confusion towards his roles in society. This conflict originated from his grandfather last worse which became a present puzzle to the main character. Both of this conflicts are what give strength to the novel as well as it develops a lesson for the reader.