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The Invisible Man A Mask For A - Online Term Paper

The Invisible Man A Mask For A


As readers of "The Invisible Man," we can all see some part of ourselves reflected in Ellison's character. Throughout the novel, the Invisible man searches for his identity, and for what he can believe in. He goes through many steps, and at each point in his journey, he seems to be wearing a different 'mask.' Each mask carries with it a different persona and set of beliefs with it that all serve to shape the character. These are masks that many of us have also put on at one time or another, too. Within the Invisible Man, we can see ourselves. Hopefully, we can also learn from him, and see the faults within him, and maybe ourselves.
The Invisible Man starts out the book by ...

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the white town leaders, he remembers that his lack of indignation was so great that he did not even mind scrambling for the faux gold pieces, which were only brass coins. That the Invisible Man appears to have little reaction to his debasing experience indicates how firmly others have placed his mask of passivity and tolerance of others' actions.
Next, the Invisible Man changes his mask to one of a hard worker. This mask, handed to Invisible Man by parents and teachers, dictates that because the Invisible Man is black he should do whatever a white person tells him to do. That Invisible Man has accepted this mask is indicated by Invisible Man's servile attitude towards Norton. After Bledsoe censures the Invisible Man for taking Norton to the Quarters and the Golden Day, the Invisible Man resolves to do everything that Norton wishes; a clear submissiveness to the will of the trustee. His illusion that, if he works hard, he is sure to succeed is very well imprinted in his brain. ...

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back and kill Bledsoe." (194) This drastic emotional reaction is quite different from the Invisible Man's normal behavior. It is as if the Invisible Man has become disgusted with his previous mask of servility, has thrown it on the floor, and then taken up an entirely different mask of aggression, especially against blacks who seem to want the Invisible Man to just "stay in his place."
The next mask the Invisible Man puts on is one of a peaceful, yet fervent orator. The Invisible Man's first public speaking occurs in front of a home whose elderly owners are being evicted. Although he appears to be speaking against taking action against the landlords, the effect is the opposite. He "stood ...

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The Invisible Man A Mask For A. (2006, September 15). Retrieved December 23, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Invisible-Man-A-Mask-For/52443
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PAPER DETAILS
Added: 9/15/2006 11:50:04 PM
Category: English
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 1439
Pages: 6

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