L'Homme Invisible

The most fascinating aspect of Invisible Man is, for me, the issue of identity. It's so pervasive throughout the novel, and, arguably, the very crux of the Invisible Man's issues-- obviously, invisibility implies a lack of presence and attention, and that's something that comes along with a solid identity or idea of where you fit in the world. I'm just astonished by how eloquently and (seemingly) effortlessly Ellison weaves themes relating to identity into his complex and true-to-life characters... The nameless narrator seems the most difficult to identify, while characters like Dr. Bledsoe and regulars at The Golden Day seem to jump off the page (cliché, I know, but it's the best expression I can use to describe how real each character seems). 

On top of their multi-faceted, multi-dimensional personalities, the characters (as previously mentioned) each seem to struggle with a different issue related to identity. Bledsoe initially appears as the epitome of strength and self-assuredness, but his true identity lacks any nobility or genuinity whatsoever; he represents identity misconstrued.

I welcome any counterarguments to this one because it's more of a theory in process, but Brother Jack represents the aggressive battle that ensues when you're uncomfortable with your own identity; whereas Dr. Bledsoe merely conceals his and embraces the multiple stereotypes and ensuing roles that accompany being an African-American, Brother Jack is hasty to abandon anything he deems antiquated or stereotypical, even if these things are integral to his own identity. When he's disdainful of the old African-American evicted couple, I sensed that his scorn arose from a fear of association and a subsequent treatment as an inferior.