Synopsis of the African American Experience

I am not one to reread books. This, however, is definitely an exception to that rule. Every time that I read this book, I notice something new and interesting that I have not noticed before, perhaps another detail that is a reference back to an influential figure of the Harlem Renaissance, or some historical reference to slavery. This book is Ralph Ellison's one and only fictional masterpiece, widely regarded as one of the most important works to be published in the United States since World War II.

Ralph Ellison’s The Invisible Man is a synopsis of the African American’s experience. Without presenting an understanding and some kind of internalizing of the African American’s past, the invisible man cannot have a successful future. Although the novel does not start with slavery outright, there are many elements and images of slavery that come up along the invisible man’s journey. The narrator is a modern character of the twentieth century, but his roots in America are deeply linked to slavery. This is represented both by objects he encounters, such as those he notices on Bledsoe’s desk and what he sees in the box outside belonging to the “dispossessed” older couple, as well as personified by his grandfather.

The narrator’s grandfather serves as a constant reminder of the past, as well as a sort of guide throughout the invisible man’s journey. It seems that each time that the cycle comes to an end and is about to repeat, the narrator remembers the words of his grandfather. As each of the narrator’s endeavors proves futile, it seems that the invisible man has not yet learned the lessons of his grandfather and the lessons of the harsh, racist world in which he is forced to make his way. In each instance, the narrator has an optimistic outlook for his prospects, but then things go wrong through no fault of his own. He feels betrayed and does not learn from each experience, but instead he seems to willingly participate in the vicious cycle because he does not know how to withdraw himself from it.

By the end of the novel, we see the narrator’s conscious act not to participate in the cycle. He retreats underground in a purposeful removal of the self from this world around him. The reader is left contemplating the fate of the invisible man in his isolation and the possibility of his reemergence. Further, there is possibility for optimism. If and when the invisible man does reemerge from his seclusion, he will not longer participate in the cycle. Or, perhaps the invisible man will finally heed the advice given him previously, allowing him to participate in the cycle but be aware of it. The invisible man has an opportunity to internalize his history and the lessons he has been taught along the way, and emerge as a stronger and more focused character. It is only through this process and through the eventual self-removal that the invisible man has an opportunity to better his situation through an understanding of his past, present and potential future.