Author Ralph Ellison, examines the concept of blindness and clear vision in "Invisible Man" as it relates to race. Characters can be divided into two categories: blind or clairvoyant. The category and characters expand outside of their predetermined category and positively affect the narrator's growth. Ellison recognizes the characters in “Invisible Man” who intentionally (or not) refuse to acknowledge the African American community when it comes to social inequality and racial advancement. According to both categories of characters, race does not factor into the character's blindness. Characters who fall into the blind spectrum are Dr. Bledsoe, Mr. Norton, the narrator's grandfather Jim Trueblood, Reverend Barbee, young Mr. Emerson, Lucius Brockway, Brother Jack, Emma, ​​and Brother Westrum. The characters listed above are blind because their actions are motivated by self-interest and power…I control it [the college]. I'm tall and black and I say "Yes, suh" as loud as any burrhead when it suits me, but I'm still the king here. I don't care how otherwise it appears. Power doesn't need to show itself. Power is confident, self-assured, self-starting and self-stopping, self-warming and self-justifying. When you have it, you know it. Let the niggers snigger and the crackers laugh! These are the facts, my son. The only ones I claim to please are the great white people, and even those I control more than they control me. It's an electrical setup, sons, and I'm in charge (Ellison 142).Dr. Bledsoe confirms that it is a man wearing a mask. He conceals his true intentions by appearing as a humble man at the disposal of the wealthy white founders. Bledsoe illuminates the...... middle of paper ......ty. During this scene, the narrator begins to form a voice and understand the importance of the veterans' message. The insightful characters allow the narrator to embrace his African American heritage and accept his identity. Through the help of characters like Mary, Peter Wheatstraw, the Yam Seller, Ras the Exhorter, and Brother Tod Clifton, the narrator accepts and embraces his African-American heritage. The categories formed by Ralph Ellison make the reader wonder which category the narrator will belong to. . As the story develops, the reader can begin to accurately interpret the narrator's development. Both categories help the reader understand the effects of invisibility and clear vision on the narrator's growth. Works Cited Ellison, Ralph. The invisible man. New York: Vintage International, 1995. Print.