Invisible Man

I spend a majority of my time during the “Snow Apocalypse” reading Invisible Man, but only read a lousy additional chapter when I was aiming for much more, but slowly I’ve come to realize that Invisible Man is filled with subtle, implicit meaning and I’ve been busy discovering, unearthing all those small details that are hidden within each page. I’ve begun to wonder many things about Invisible Man such as why Mr. Norton has such an important role in the novel. Moreover, why is the narrator so concerned about Mr. Norton giving him a bad report? Why is he so afraid of becoming humiliated? Why is he constantly worried about a white man’s opinion? What is the narrator so afraid of? Consequences? Becoming reprimanded? Overall, this book has had my thoughts spiraling—I can comprehend what’s going on, but I don’t understand why the author has chosen to use such events or why he even decides to incorporate several characters. In short, I don’t know what the main idea or point the author is trying to reach. When I’m reading, my mind is constantly thinking, Am I missing something that I should be getting? There has to be more than just this. However, I have noticed some powerful color imagery such as the color gold, which seems to be everywhere as a motif for power and falsified wealth. For example, the “Golden” Day is ironic in that it involves veterans who look forward to their “golden” years during retirement but are only out once a week from a mental ward. Moreover, I don’t understand the purpose of the phrase “the grass is green,” although it has me thinking whether or not it’s color imagery for something “fresh”, such as the girl’s relationship with her boyfriend (I believe, the narrator, comments on how she will eventually become pregnant), but still I don’t understand why such detail is important to the overall purpose and main idea of the book. Moreover, I find it paradoxical due to the fact that when we meet Trueblood, there’s also talk about women becoming pregnant, hence I do see that there is a reoccurring theme but I can’t understand what it’s supposed to represent. Fertility? Submissiveness? Danger? Blindness? Hence, I’ve constantly been arriving full circle: when I think I’ve finally figured out the purpose for the author to incorporate one detail, another one arrives. However, I have noted how much irony is common throughout the entire novel, such as the fact that Trueblood’s name implies purity when he could potentially be labeled for molestation and rape. Finally, I also find it stunning that there is so much contrast in white and black, literally and figuratively. Historically, there is so much relevant information that is alluded through such as southern sharecroppers and slave quarters. Moreover, I also thought it interesting how Ellison metaphorically illustrates Mr. Norton as an animal due to his “animal-like teeth” and the women who watch over him relate his organs to animal organs. Hence, again I am realizing the analysis, but what is the purpose behind it all?