“Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison has several embedded themes. These themes range from race to women to femininity, but they all come together to form one major theme. This theme is identity and the truth of identity. Through “Invisible Man,” Ralph Ellison suggests that the concept of identity is both an internal and external conflict. Through the story of the anonymous narrator, we see that the self-perception and public perception of any individual are an eternal conflict. In the prologue, the narrator says: “I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me. (Ellison 3)” This means they know it exists but choose not to recognize it as it is. This is reinforced by the fact that almost every other character, from Brother Jack to Sybil, wants to use her for their own interests. And in their various attempts to achieve this, they treat him as a malleable object rather than a real person. The white men who force him to fight other black boys perceive him as if he were a racehorse. Some white men are betting on him and are unaware of the initial reason for his presence. Brother Jack and the rest of the Brotherhood use him as a tool to lure and manipulate the people of Harlem. They ask him to change his name, renounce his past and move to a new apartment. Mr. Norton who claims that the narrator is his future only sees it as falsified proof of his philanthropy. He tells the narrator: “...the outcome of the years I spent helping your school depends on you. This has been my real life's work, not my banking or my research, but my direct organization of human life. (Ellison 42) » In reality, Mr. Norton is just an incestuous narcissist who wants to be seen as a liberal, benevolent Caucasian man b...... middle of paper ...... this equality? Is this the freedom of the black mahn? A pat on the back and a piece of shit without any passion? Maggots! They buy you that cheap, man? What are they doing to my people! Where is your brain? These women are scum, mahn! (Ellison 373).” Ras the Exhorter also spares Tod Clifton's life due to their shared race, saying, "You, black and beautiful, don't let them tell you otherwise!" You weren't there to say you died, mahn. Dead! I would have killed you, man. (Ellison 373). » Works Cited Ellison, Ralph. The invisible man. New York: Random House Inc., 1952. 3. Print. Ellison, Ralph. The invisible man. New York: Random House Inc., 1952. 42. Print. Ellison, Ralph. The invisible man. New York: Random House Inc., 1952. 373. Print. Ellison, Ralph. The invisible man. New York: Random House Inc., 1952. 373. Print.NeverShoutNever. “Old timer. » Sunflower. Sire Records, 2013, iTunes.