Invisible Man, By: Ralph Ellison... I've just started reading.

[Jidah C.]

So far, it's brilliant. It's different from the past books I've read written about Black people by Black writers, or White writers writing about Black people. In the sense that the person speaking in the book is articulate, no over exaggerated southern slang. Not that I don't like books with slang but some authors over do it. Any way I'm going to start posting lines I have highlighted that I'd like to discuss or just share. If you have read the book or haven't, feel free to jump in, and share your fave. or lines that made you think. and if you haven't read then feel free to leave your interpretation. Also, I'm going to post questions regarding to the book of course.

Sharing
Quote of today:
"Beware of those who speak of the spiral of history; they are preparing a boomerang. Keep a steel helmet handy." pg.6

Question
Who is Ras and Rineheart?
"Hey Ras," I called "Is it you, Destroyer? Rineheart? - pg.12

[California King]

This is an early postmodern work, so a lot of the book you may or may not understand until you finish. be patient. I've been re-reading this book periodically for about ten years, and it feels like a new book every time. The title of our record; Adoration of the Boogie Bear is from this book. It is one of the best novels ever written, so welcome to the fan club!

[Brandi Robinson]

Oh man. A literary masterpiece right there. Definitely one of my favorites of all time. Ellison had something really radical and different to say about the black experience, I think. How far are you?? I'd be interested in finding out some of your favorite quotes. One of my favorites is on the first page of the prologue: "When they approach me they see only my surroundings, themselves, or figments of their imagination--indeed, everything and anything except me". Have you noticed yet that he doesn't have a name?? What do you think that means??

[Golem_3]

I think Jidah is too busy reading the book.
lol

Brandi, my interpretation of the narrator being without a name has 2 possibilities.
1) Ellison used the concept as a writing style that arouses our curiosity about this person.
2) The narrator serves as an archetype for the Every(Black)man.

Although, the narrator could've very well been Ellison, himself.

[Jidah C.]

LOL YEAH. I'm SORRY all caught up in the book, and rereading, it reqiures more thought then other books I've read. lol.
>to Brandi. Yep sis that is definitely my FAVORITE quote, another one is about the lights, in his living area..I'll have to post and update. I've left off a bit after his "speech" that was a emotional chapter, esp. since I'm a very visual, and sound-trackable person LOL so I was like gasp, tear, angry, lol. but it was good, after that I kind of put it down to take a brake and readjust myself lol.

*I think he has no name because he needs no name. what good is a name for an invisible man, to have a name is to be identifiable, to be visible to be somebody.

Golem_3 said:

I think Jidah is too busy reading the book.
lol

Brandi, my interpretation of the narrator being without a name has 2 possibilities.
1) Ellison used the concept as a writing style that arouses our curiosity about this person.
2) The narrator serves as an archetype for the Every(Black)man.

Although, the narrator could've very well been Ellison, himself.

[California King]

YES GOLEM 3 -I think that your second interpretation is correct ; he is every black person that realizes his identity is being warped and misunderstood by racism. All black people have this problem but not all of them realizes this to be the case. The invisiblity comes with the consciousness of this warped identity. I think that Ellison does such a wonderful job dealing with all the problems facing the black man in modernity, but it is a gender specific book. Check out the chapters when the brotherhood sends him downtown to deal with the "woman problem" any brother who every stepped out the hood knows what Ellison is getting at here.

Golem_3 said:

I think Jidah is too busy reading the book.
lol Brandi, my interpretation of the narrator being without a name has 2 possibilities.
1) Ellison used the concept as a writing style that arouses our curiosity about this person.
2) The narrator serves as an archetype for the Every(Black)man.

Although, the narrator could've very well been Ellison, himself.

[Jidah C.]

GOlem_3 said:

YES GOLEM 3 -I think that your second interpretation is correct ; he is every black person that realizes his identity is being warped and misunderstood by racism. All black people have this problem but not all of them realizes this to be the case. The invisiblity comes with the consciousness of this warped identity. I think that Ellison does such a wonderful job dealing with all the problems facing the black man in modernity, but it is a gender specific book. Check out the chapters when the brotherhood sends him downtown to deal with the "woman problem" any brother who every stepped out the hood knows what Ellison is getting at here.

GOLD!..I didn't think to equate invisibility to consciousness. THANKS for all that you wrote, you stated all very clear, great. this kind of reminds me of One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest..when the Fog symbolizes confusion and bits and pieces of memory and when Cheif Bromden beats the fog he's getting clarity. idk why I thought of this book. maybe because regents and finals are coming up for english.lol

[Garnett Alcindor]

i read that book and i love it so much...