Types of Invisibility in Invisible Man
John Brownridge
Ralph Ellison displays a multitude of different types of invisibility through multiple characters in Invisible Man. All of these types of invisibility are different and interesting, and important in helping the Narrator’s character arc of realizing his own invisibility. The first type of invisibility displayed in Invisible Man is shown all the way back in chapter one. The Narrator’s grandfather, on his deathbed, gives the Narrator advice on how to survive peacefully in a white society. He says that the Narrator should “overcome ‘em with yesses, undermine ‘em with grins, agree ‘em to death and destruction, let ‘em swoller you till they vomit or bust wide open.” He is basically telling the Narrator to conform to the will of white people and let them control and manipulate him. With this type of invisibility, the Narrator would live without his voice and opinion about racism and social issues never being heard, but in return, would hopefull...