Letter to Ralph Ellison

 Dear Ralph Ellison,

I am currently reading your book Invisible Man and it is a fantastic novel so far. There are many ways in which I can identify with the book, and it also seemed to predict the future in a way. The novel has such powerful and prevalent themes that it sucks you in with how relatable it is. For example, in the first chapter, we are shown a brawl amongst black men over money and all of the men are blinded. This scene has a great deal of symbolism and can be applied to today's media. The media blinds us and makes us fight one another rather than coming together and solving the real problems that are around us. Only those with a bit of education, like the narrator, can begin to see what is true versus what is false. Another example is when readers are introduced to Dr. Bledsoe and Mr. Norton. When Mr. Norton meets Trueblood and later on the veteran, he is shocked by what he hears, which shows his ignorance. For showing him this darker side of society, Bledsoe punishes the narrator, even though he did what was asked of him. This shows the corruption of society by saying that even if one does the right thing and speaks the truth, they are still punished and reprimanded because it is seen as "unpopular". Your book has had a great impact on me so far, and I hope there is even more to come.

Sincerely,
Stephen Cahoon

Invisible Man Prologue

1.) The tone of the first two paragraphs can be seen as defeatism and solemn.
2.) The irony with his encounter was the fact that he stated at the beginning that the man saw him even though he called himself "invisible".
3.) The reason he said the man had not seen him was because all he saw was the color of his skin.
4.)The "sleeping ones" are those who are blind or ignore the problems of society.
5.)The narrator needs the light because it is what allows him to know that he is real, and has form.
6.) Louis Armstrong's music gives the narrator a more in-depth view of invisibility and is another way to feel that he is real.
7.) The narrator learns that freedom is much more complex than one may initially think it is and that freedom requires action.

Pre-Read: Invisible Man

     Ralph Ellison was born March 1, 1913 in Oklahoma City. He was raised by a single mother with his brother Hubert as their father died in a work related accident when he was three years old. He was a trumpet player, and since Tuskegee was lacking in trumpet players he was admitted into the college. In his college years, he aspired to be a symphony composer, and had to go to New York in 1936 in order to raise funds for college.
     In New York, he initially planned to return to college after earning enough money, but instead began to work as a researcher and writer for the New York Federal Writers Program. It was there that he met people such as Richard Wright, Langston Hughes, and Alain Locke. These writers mentored him while he worked in New York, and he published poems and short stories in The Negro Quarterly and acted as managing editor. After this, he enlisted as a Marine cook during WWII and married his first and only wife, Fanny McConnel. 
      Ellison began writing his most famous novel, Invisible Man, at his friend's farm. The novel, published in 1952, was an immediate hit. It was on the best sellers list for a time and won the National Book Award the following year. The novel was seen as a great insight on the problems of race in America and influenced much of American writing after its release.
     The reason that the novel is so popular even today is due to its prevalence in our society. Even now, 66 years after its release, the novel addresses problems that American people struggle with. Blindness, Invisibility, the definition of freedom, these are all ideals that society debates over. Is everyone truly free in America if we still racially stereotype for the sake of "safety"? Media blinds us and makes us fight against one another rather than seeing the bigger picture and identifying the true problems with our country. The top 1% only sees everyone as a way to make money, and they are the ones that control our country. The novel speaks to people so well because it's not just a story only one race can identify with. Everyone in our world can find something in this novel tthat applies to them today.

The three prominent themes that I've found in Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man the definition of freedom, expectations versus reality, and the effects of conformity.  definition the theme of the definition of freedom comes from the vary views that the narrator has gotten from Black men that he comes across. Mr. Bledsoe sees freedom as having power over all others, while the vet sees it as doing what you want whenever you can do so. Expectations vs reality comes from the view of the narrator. The narrator's expectations of society are adversely affected by the reality of it.  another very prevalent seem is another very prevalent seem is the effects of conformity. Due to his conformity the narrator is punished, even though it is exactly what he was supposed to do it still did not end up being the right thing to do. All of these teams tied Together With Langston Hughes works of Refugee in America and I, Too. In refugee in America the themes of freedom and expectation vs reality are discussed.  The speaker is has this idea of freedom that is not met by reality.  in I too, one can see the effects of conformity and how it insights a spark of Rebellion in the oppressed.

Emily Dickerson Quote Explanations

“Forever is composed of nows”

This quote can represent the idea of living in the moment. To live forever, one must live in the moment, and cannot tally on trying to predict the future or reminisce over the past.

“That it will never come again is what makes life so sweet."

The truly beautiful things in life are those that are truly rare. Things that are common are less likely to be cherished or appreciated. Once something is gone, however, one tends to yearn for it more than they ever had when it was in great supply.

"If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain."

Heartbreak is one of the more painful things a human can go through. Losing someone you love or finding your love unrequited can be hard to deal with at times. However, if you are someone who can save another from such torment, through returning love of caring for them, then you have saved their life to some degree.

"If I read a book and it makes my whole body so cold no fire can ever warm me, I know that is poetry."

Poetry is an artform that truly makes you feel. Books have a sort of relatability to them, but their point is not to move someone to the degree poetry does. Poetry’s one and only purpose is to instill emotion into a reader, and powerful emotion can not be shaken off lightly.

"This is my letter to the world that never wrote to me"

The world is a harsh place to live. It is unforgiving, and at times can be cruel. However, one must try their best to make do. They have to help themselves even when their surroundings do not.

"Saying nothing sometimes says the most."

Silence is a very powerful tool. Words can deceive and mislead, but silence can not do these things. When someone is silent, you can feel the discomfort that words can mask, or see through lies words can weave. Silence is a bringer of truth.

"I dwell in possibility..."

One that dwells is possibility is someone who strives for the best. They look for their potential future and make the best one they can. They work towards being the best self they can be.

"Nature is haunted house-- but Art-- is a house that tries to be haunted."

This quote is one that is describing art. Art tries to mimic the world it lives in, however it is impossible for it to capture all that world entails.

"Parting is all we know of Heaven, and all we need of Hell."

When someone dies, the common belief is that they will go to the afterlife. This description of afterlife is all we know, and is only truly seen when we die. Those that are alive must deal with that loss, and must cope with the suffering it brings.

"I have bent and broken, but - I hope- into a better shape."

Life is filled with struggles and hardships. Sometimes, through dealing with these hardships, one begins to change as a person. They have to adapt to their situation, and one can only hope that that adaptation is for the better.

"in this short life that only lasts an hour how much- how little- is within our power."

The lifespan of a human is short when compared to eternity. It is the goal of all humans to live this short life to the fullest.  They must figure out all that they can do, and what they cannot not do, in the little time they have.

"Whenever a thing is done for the first time, it releases a little demon."

Temptation is something all people must deal with. When someone experiences something new, they can be allured by that thing once again, especially if it is a good experience. The little demon can be seen as the potential for addiction and abusing whatever activity one does.

"To shut your eyes is to travel."

When one shuts their eyes, they begin to eliminate the distractions around them. With their eyes closed, they can be anywhere or do anything through their imagination. The moments of peace when one closes their eyes can be a wonderful experience and a break from the struggles of life.

"open me carefully."

There are many things people hide from others. The things that people hide can be ugly or dark, and many times are best left unknown. One must be careful when digging into someone because they may learn something they never wanted to know.

"Till I loved I never liked enough."

Liking something and loving something are two entirely different things. Liking someone is simple, and doesn’t entail much from either party and neither are truly devoted to one another. When two people love someone, however, they are put in an unbreakable bond, and would do anything for one another. One can never like someone wholly until they love them.