I feel the need to reaffirm all of it, to reexperience it and, by reexperiencing it, to understand it, to understand myself.
Ralph Ellison – The Invisible Man
Reaffirmation for Understanding
R
“The Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison is a novel that explores the experiences of an unnamed African American man living in the United States in the mid-20th century. The protagonist, who remains invisible to others because of their refusal to see him as an individual, recounts his journey from the South to Harlem and his struggles with racism, identity, and belonging. As he navigates through various social and political landscapes, he grapples with his invisibility and the challenges of being black in a predominantly white society. The novel delves into themes of race, power, and self-discovery, highlighting the complexities of African American identity and the quest for visibility and recognition in a racially divided America.