The Bird Motif in Invisible Man Essay -- Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man

In Ralph Ellisons novel, Invisible Man, the narrator must go through a journey of self discovery. He does not invest himself with the black people, nor is he a part of the white culture. Throughout the novel, Ellison uses the bird motif emphasize the personalities of the groups that he is describing. In his humble beginnings the narrators greatest desire is to light upon the power that would earn him respect from all races of people. He attempts to achieve this by adapting white ideals and adopting white customs. With the opportunity of going to New York, the narrators future is open to numerous possibilities. Mans hope can paint a purple picture, can transform a soaring vulture into a noble eagle or a moaning dove(126). The narrator can either succeed at being powerful and influential or he can be one of the persons who duologue too much, but shows no action. He does not want to be a part of the masses of black people that do not go to sleep what it is that they really want. T hey want to be happy, but do not know how to achieve this happiness. Ellison often compares birds to black...