Lecture Notes: Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man

Introduction

• Focus on Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man as a key literary work of the 1960s.
• Examines themes of visibility and recognition in the context of racial justice.

Why "The Invisible Man"?

• Invisible Man begins with the protagonist declaring his invisibility.
  • Prologue Quote: "I am an invisible man... Because people refuse to see me."
• Highlights societal refusal to recognize certain individuals' humanity based on race.

Themes and Questions

• Justice and Recognition:
  • How justice can be selective, applying to some but not others.
  • The invisibility of rights and humanity for African Americans.

Example from the Prologue

• Incident of being knocked over by a drunk person:
  • Represents racial invisibility and lack of respect.
  • "I am a man of flesh and bone just like you, but [you] do not recognize me as a human being."

Ellison's Response

• Visibility through Recognition:
  • To overcome invisibility, one must make others see them.
  • Key Quote (Page 14): "Responsibility rests upon recognition and recognition is a form of agreement."
  • Ellison's need to assert himself to be recognized and visible.

Broader Implications

• Assertion of Humanity:
  • African Americans must claim visibility and humanity.
  • A challenge that is crucial for gaining equality and rights.

Chapter 2: Different Type of Invisibility

• College Scene:
  • Narrator interacts with a donor who funds the college.
  • Donor's perspective: Helping "you people" as a memorial for his daughter.
  • Instrumental Visibility:
    • Seen as an instrument for the donor's purposes, not as an individual.
    • Another form of invisibility and dehumanization.

Conclusion

• Ellison's narrative illustrates the journey and struggle for recognition and visibility.
• Key Message: African Americans need to make themselves visible and claim their humanity.

Summary

• Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison explores racial invisibility and the necessity for self-assertion.
• Recognition is essential for visibility and dignity, requiring action and assertion.
• The narrative challenges African Americans to assert their humanity and claim their place in society.