The Brotherhood And Bigotry In Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man

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The novel, Invisible Man (1952), is a novel written by Ralph Ellison detailing an African American male’s struggle with feelings of respectability in post slavery United States. Having to confront discrimination and bigotry on a daily basis in every aspect of his life the Speaker illustrates that he perceives himself as “Invisible” to society. The novel examines the Speaker’s perceptions of the fraternal society, the Brotherhood, as he struggles for acceptance and approval.
In regards to tone the author readily uses passage’s opening paragraph to draw comparisons between the Brotherhood and fraternities. Likewise, the main character used words such as “crazy” to describe the society, and he appeared hesitant and suspicious of Brother Jack’s offer for money. These comparisons are telling as, historically, college fraternities have been linked to hazing or penial practices and other such suspect activities. Additionally, such organizations are known to be built on hierarchical structures,
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We surmise by The Speakers’ slow response to Jack’s queries that he disliked each. As a reader we may determine that the Speaker was possibly fearful of the impositions by the Brotherhood that are likened to a fraternal organization.
Again, in terms of tone, Brother Jack imposed upon The Speaker that the Brotherhood would provide all money to cover all rent and sustenance without consultation or offer, which was another red flag, which was bothersome to The Speaker.
In analyzing this work the reader must be cognizant that the novel takes place less than a century in post-slavery America. Perhaps regarding point of view, this thought was in the Speaker’s thoughts. These actions, which may have been viewed aggressively, might have stirred racial undercurrents of inequality and bias to the surface of The Speaker’s

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