The philosophical aspects of the prologue take twists and turns through the invisible man's thought process. At first glance, this was very confusing. However, when read more in depth we see that he's clearly been dealing with his invisibility for quite sometime, considering he speaks for 12 pages on this conflict. Among his thoughts, he focuses a great deal on light (1,369 to be exact), "And I love light...need light, desire light..." (6). Light used in literature is usually referred to as truth or- in the invisible man's case- life, "It allows me to feel my vital aliveness," (7). The Bible employs light to describe Christians as the light or true life of the earth.
He says being unseen is "rather wearing on the nerves" (3). He may use his lights as a way of prolonging the battle with Monopolated Light & Power because he's getting a reaction from someone. He wants to feel like he has some purpose to others. In the long run, although the electrical company doesn't know its him, he is not invisible to them. He is causing their agitation therefore they are forced to pay attention to him.
The speaker follows by describing himself as a problem solver. He will become a "thinker-tinker" (7)- an invisible inventor. His allusion to Ford, Edison, and Franklin enhances his desire to be noticed. As these men have left an impact and have been recognized, he also wants society to remember his name and face to confirm his aliveness.
It is interesting to ponder what the constant mention of light could mean besides just the physical thing itself. When we look into what light means, often it involves clarity or love. We think of light and love synonymously, but it seems that in this case we have almost the opposite. The Invisible Man claims to be shrouded by invisibility like a sort of darkness. When he says "And I love light...need light, desire light..." (6), he is relaying how much he wants to be noticed in society. Despite being surrounded by physical light, he is still in the darkness due to discrimination.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to ponder what the constant mention of light could mean besides just the physical thing itself. When we look into what light means, often it involves clarity or love. We think of light and love synonymously, but it seems that in this case we have almost the opposite. The Invisible Man claims to be shrouded by invisibility like a sort of darkness. When he says "And I love light...need light, desire light..." (6), he is relaying how much he wants to be noticed in society. Despite being surrounded by physical light, he is still in the darkness due to discrimination.
ReplyDeleteThe length of the prologue seems to be a symbol in itself, as mentioned, it's entirety exemplifies the narrator's feelings of invisibility and "ach[ing] with the need to convince [him]self that [he does] exist in the real world" (4). The reference of the lights is equally important as it demonstrates a physical visibility that the narrator deems intangible for himself without this lending factor of the lights. Using the stolen lights as a source for visibility shows the narrator's 'cry for help' and demand to be 'seen'. Alluding to Ford, Edison, and Franklin emphasizes his desperation and craving for recognition and visibility which I hadn't noticed before I read this post! It really helps the reader in comprehending the extent of his despair.
ReplyDeleteThe narrator seems to contradict himself in this part of the story. Although he "desire(s) light" (6), he also tries to run from the horrors of society and discrimination. One moment he demands attention of those that surround him- other times he wants to escape to his secret underground room where he mocks the electric company. He wants the "light" to give him positive attention. However, the racial attitudes of his time define him as a certain stereotype.
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