Invisible Man Ralph Ellison Character Analysis

Past events have the ability to change a person entirely. These events can transform a person in a positive or negative way, and it can change the way a person behaves completely. In Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man, the narrator goes through major breakthroughs during different parts of his life. These changes have a lasting effect on the narrator, and they change him negatively in the beginning. However, as he discovers more of himself, he realizes his purpose, and the changes eventually become positive ones. The narrator’s life in college is the start of his transformation. Although the Battle Royale sparks some of the transformation, it mainly begins when he goes to college. With the racism going on and the blacks trying to act like whites, …show more content…
In the Brotherhood, he is only being used for his way with words, and his individuality does not matter. The narrator has always wanted to be a good person and be a part of change, but once he becomes aware of the corruption, he realizes he hasn’t made as much of an impact at all. This leads him to going underground, away from society where he is invisible. The Brotherhood ruins his perception of both reality and society, and he doesn’t wish to become part of either of them. However, the narrator eventually realizes he cannot sit around sulking, so he finally moves up and shines a new light on the world. In conclusion, the past events of the narrator’s life change him negatively at first but eventually turn into positive changes. Originally, the narrator is stuck, but as he goes through more breakthroughs, he eventually finds himself. College starts the cycle of change for him, and after his time with the Brotherhood, he finds himself. Going through these negative changes eventually forms a positive one for him. Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man is a perfect depiction of change due to past events, and these changes help shape the Invisible Man that is the