Posted by Steven on 19/9/2010, 13:36:55, in reply to "Re: Invisible Man"
76.186.51.185
I haven't re-read it, but when I did read Invisible Man several years ago, I enjoyed it much more than I expected to. While it did depict race relations and contemporary social issues, the theme of one's individuality being eclipsed by society's expectations is certainly independent of any time, place, or race. It's probably most applicable, however, to minority groups where there is naturally more pressure to speak with a common voice against the controlling majority. Richard Wright tells a very similar story in Black Boy. He is said to have pirated some of Ellison's experiences for his own autobiography.
--Previous Message--
:
: I reread Invisible Man a few months ago and made
: some notes for our talk. I wasnīt sure Iīd have time
: for it this month.
:
: From the introduction:
:
: I was already having enough difficulty trying to avoid
: writing what might turn out to be nothing more than
: another novel of racial protest instead of the
: dramatic study in comparative humanity which I felt
: any worthwhile novel should be.
:
: I like his definition of the novel, and I think he
: succeeded admirably in his goal. I donīt find IM a
: boring social protest at all. I find it a vividly
: realized world of its own. I find it almost amazing
: that an author could deal with this subject matter in
: a way thatīs not tedious.
:
: Also from the introduction:
:
: social responsibility as an artist
:
: Iīm not sure why I noted that. I suppose it was
: probably just an idea I didnīt like.
:
: I took a good many more notes. I may post about them
: later.
:
:
:
:
Message Thread
« Back to index