As I continue my independent reading of Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man, I can't help but to wonder how I myself have felt as though I was in the some of the same predicaments and mentality of the narrator. Being a minority, it is almost as though you can not help but to have felt inferior to "The Man", as Ellison describes, at some point in time. Many of times there has been an ignorant comment, selfish action, or an all together ignoring to us all in one way or another. Although the novel was set in the 19030's, many of the returned feelings and washed up emotions can and often are still felt today. It is difficult to explain to the exact being of feeling less than, but Ellison has painted the picture beautifully. Everyone can, in some way or another relate to the injustice within the novel, whether it be racially, religion based, or gender wise. Although I am still in the early chapters of the novel, its obvious self doubt and emptiness of the narrator grasps the readers attention from the very beginning.
Only months prior to making the transaction from high school to higher education, Invisible Man also forces me to ponder one nagging question; As I continue into becoming an educated young women, how will I leave my footprints in the "real" world? Will I allow myself to be invisible among all of the others or force my voice, my beliefs, my ideas to be heard? Soon becoming a student of a prestigious private University this fall, I am most certainly want to leave my mark someway or another, not allowing my campus to define me, but that who I am can rightfully represent the University.
Invisible Man is defined by so much more than simply a young mans journey and a coming of age novel, but rather a recognition of each one of our significant rolls in the book of life.
-Jasmine C
Jasmine-
ReplyDeleteI found the question you asked very interesting: "As I continue into becoming an educated young women, how will I leave my footprints in the "real" world? Will I allow myself to be invisible among all of the others or force my voice, my beliefs, my ideas to be heard?"
My response to you is that as a young woman myself it is a challenge for us to decide how to create my own identity in the world. I find that our personalities and interests define us more than the setting we are in. Since I have moved to many schools I learned how to adapt to my surroundings without losing myself to the trends of the campus. I admire your individuality and now I really want to read the Invisible Man.
-Visha V.
Visha-
DeleteI agree that ones individual characteristics should be and remain the focus as we mature and move into the next chapters of our lives, not our surroundings its self. Which do you think has a stronger influence over us; the society and environment which we live or solely the characteristics and personalities which we hold? Or, are our personalities merely products of our surroundings? Can we dismiss our surroundings completely as we evolve into our own or will it always have some sort of hold and influence upon us? As you said, moving between schools yet not losing your self to the new campus, can we ever never loose a part of ourselves do to where we are or do you think there is always a compromise?
-Jasmine C
Visha-
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with uou on this topic. As we are all growing into ourselves and who we aspire to be, socity plays a large influence in the game of exposure. Different societies expose us to various aspects of life however it is our responsibility and duty to decide what we want to be.
Visha you said "I learned how to adapt to my surroundings," and i understand that sometimes to be accepted by society it is necessary to compromise our origionality. On the other hand, origionality defines us and makes society progess. Some of the most influental people in history did not conform to the rules of society. The hard decision making comes in deciding where to compromise and where not to.
Jasmine-
your post draws me to the "Invisible Man." It seems to be a great book to read due to its pertinance to students our age finding their way in the world. Im glad that you recognize that society doesn't always have to mold us. We mold society.
-Toni G.
Jasmine-
ReplyDeleteA while ago, I found this book lying around my house and read the first chapter of it. It was pretty good and I was planning to read it but never got around to it. Luckily, you're reading it so I'll keep reading your posts to see how it is.
In response to your first paragraph, I find it intriguing that the topics of injustice involved in the book can be related to everyone. By reading the first chapter, I assumed that it would be about racism. However, it may be something more than that.
Knowing you as an outgoing, funny person, I have no trouble believing that you will someday leave a mark on this world. I believe that at this point of our lives, we feel obliged to do something great in order to feel accomplished. I used to feel that way too, but I realized that I shouldn't stress myself out about that and just live life. After all, it's difficult to be perfectly satisfied with everything you do.
P.S. Congrats on getting accepted!
-Stephanie K.
Jasmine-
ReplyDeleteI agree with you to the utmost extent, as kids grow older it's easier to get caught up in things such as school and style, forgetting about the things that are truly important to themselves as they blend in with their surroundings. However, I think it's important to keep in mind that as people grow older, their personal values should be held on to strongly. As we venture into the college world, as new and exciting as it may be, it might be easy to lose sight of our individual selves, but we shine through as people and do what makes us feel most comfortable. Do not allow yourself to be invisible among all others, but instead let your voice, beliefs and ideas be heard.
-Carleen R
Jasmine,
ReplyDeleteYour post was very interesting. I completely agree with you. High school is just one step in the long journey of life. Leaving a significant footprint in the world is something we all dream to do one day. One can't loose there selves during high school, because it isnt something that will always be there.
-Chante E.
Jasmine,
ReplyDeleteI am also reading Invisible Man, and I haven't thought of being invisible as a way of not voicing your opinions, or not leaving your footprints in the world. I only thought of it from a racial standpoint. This will help me get through the novel with much more thought. Thank you.
-Dennis Liu
Dennis-
DeleteYes. There are obvious racially driven events and tension but I do not believe that race is the major theme of the novel; its purpose seems to be so much deeper. I've seem that you are in the beginning chapters of Invisible Man. Once you become farther along in the story, maybe we can have more discussions on our views and what we each have taken/learned from Ellison.
-Jasmine C
I hope you enjoyed this novel! I really enjoyed it when I read it. I like how you said "self doubt and emptiness of the narrator grasps the readers attention from the very beginning" because that certainly allured me into the novel. Just like any novel, it's the offbeat characteristics that draw us into a book.
ReplyDelete-Christopher Lee