Willingness to overcome struggle

       The “Invisible Man” is structured around the recurring themes of overcoming stereotypes, prejudice, and self-identification. Whether it be fighting in the battle royal, the sambo doll, the coin bank, or living in a judgmental society, there is always an unremitting struggle to be noticed as a person rather than a thing for African Americans in the novel- especially the narrator. 

       Throughout the novel the narrator constantly jumps through hoops in order to fulfill the role of a ‘black man’ as described by important people such as his grandfather, Mr. Norton, and Mr. Bledsoe. In the beginning of the novel, the narrator states that his grandfather's dying words “became a constant puzzle which lay unanswered in the back of [his] mind.”(16) As the narrator attempts to complete the tasks assigned to him, however, he loses himself in the process. Perhaps the reason the narrator refers to himself as the ‘invisible man’ is because he is too busy trying to please others and be noticed by society that he does not truly know he is. How can one expect to know who they are if they never have the opportunity to think for themself? The coin bank that the narrator received emphasized how he is perceived in society, as a “slave” to white people. Moreover, the fact that the narrator smashed the coin bank did not diminish society's prejudice views.  

       

       The themes that Ellison relies on in the “Invisible Man” perfectly depicts the life of an African American linking in a prejudiced society. It is evident throughout the novel that trying to overcome prejudice, stereotypes, and self-identification has led the narrator to become an invisible man. Once the narrator feels comfortable in his environment and accepted by others, he will become an invisible man; the narrator might even refer to himself by his real name. 

        

In Roots, Kunta gets beat until he accepts the name the slave owners gave him,Toby. Similar to the narrator, “Toby” unwillingly surrendered and did what the slave owners said; he also lost realization of himself in the process.