The Invisible Man

In the novel Invisible Man, Ralph Ellison weaves an allegorical story about a man who discovers the very essence of the American identity and his role within it. This tale is narrated through the eyes of a nameless Southern black man who claims to be invisible. From his beginnings as “a black educated fool” (pg. 143) to his present stage of invisibility, the speaker had many conflicts in which he gained a lot of wisdom. Towards …

…the United States as an enormous magic carpet: an almost magical creature made up of a colorful array of threads that strives to reach its destination. Everything within the carpet is connected, and though the strings may not know it, they are all moving in the same direction. Despite rain, snow or winds, the carpet will keep on flying. “Americanness” is the union of many different people who collectively reach for the unattainable American Dream.