Essay On Multiculturalism In Invisible Man

Multiculturalism has been defined as the co-existence of diverse cultures, where culture includes racial, religious, or cultural groups and is manifested in customary behaviours, cultural assumptions and values, patterns of thinking, and communicative styles (CITE IFLA). In contrast to the aforementioned view of multiculturalism. I will argue that the novel Invisible Man presents a different view of multiculturalism. A view which holds multiculturalism is greater than that which is formed by the simple co-existence of diverse cultures. It is a society in which many cultures combine to form an entirely new homogenous culture. One that does not retain its individual characteristics which are easily categorized by race or religion, but one in which the reciprocal and complementary contribution of those individual characteristics combine to create an entirely new culture. I will argue this on the basis that cultures cannot co-exist without assimilating the influences of one another. To argue otherwise would be to deny current and past megatrends. I will support my assertions through …show more content…
The epilogue is a continuation of the prologue, where the reader learned that the narrator has been living under ground in isolation. In the absence of outside influence, the protagonist never arrives at an individual identity. Nevertheless, he recognizes the importance of his individual contribution to society and decides it is time to come out. “Perhaps that’s my greatest social crime, I’ve overstayed my hibernation, since there’s a possibility that even an invisible man has a socially responsible role to play (Ellison 581).”
Multiculturalism has shifted the power to define from culture to the individual. In doing so there is no escaping the influence of others. Individuality has been transcended in the formation of a new culture that we cannot escape. Out of many, we are