看不見的人 Invisible Man

1、 畢業(yè)論文題 目 The Pathetic Negro Analysis of Protagonists Mentality in Invisible Man 專 業(yè) 英語語言文學_年級 2011級 _ 學生姓名 Hyleehom 學 號 20103705 _指導教師 周 云 川 2013-12ii可憐的黑人看不見的人中主人公的心理分析專業(yè)：英語語言文學姓名：hyleehom指導教師：周云川摘要：美國黑人作家拉爾夫艾里森的小說看不見的人出版于1952年，它講述了一位在白人主宰的社會里,沒有任何的社會地位，沒有人承認他的存在的黑人青年，在自我探索的過程中遭遇各種挫折的悲慘故事。本文以黑人時代的背

2、景和小說看不見的人的創(chuàng)作背景為前提，將主人公自我探索的心理狀態(tài)分為積極、掙扎和絕望三個階段，通過分析每個階段主人公成長經(jīng)歷中的心理狀態(tài)的表現(xiàn)，以及主人公對于自我認識的階段性心理變化的原因，揭露出當時社會，黑人境況的困惑與命運的悲哀。關鍵字：看不見的人，黑人，困境，自我，探索The Pathetic Negro Analysis of Protagonists Mentality in Invisible ManMajor: English Language and Literature Name: hyleehomSupervisor: Zhou YunchuanAbstract:Americ

3、an Negro writer, Ralph Ellisons novel Invisible Man, published in 1952, tells a story that a black youngster, who is ignored by society in the white-dominated society, searches for who he is. And in his self-exploring, he encounters so many troubles. This paper, premised on Negro background and crea

4、ting background of the novel, divides the process of the protagonists mentality into 3 stages hope, struggle and desperation, and then analyzes the protagonists mental behaviors in his growing experiences and reasons why he shows the mental behaviors so as to draw a conclusion about the plight of Ne

5、gro and the misery of their fate. Key words:Invisible Man; Negro; Plight; Self; ExplorationCONTENTSIntroduction1Chapter 1 Background.21.1 Introduction of Negro21.2 Creation Background of the Novel2Chapter 2 Stage with Hope.42.1 Behaviors with Hope42.2 Reasons for His Behaviors52.3 Conclusion of This

6、 Stage6Chapter 3 Stage in Struggle.83.1 Struggling Behaviors83.2 Reasons for His Behaviors93.2.1 Social Phenomenon93.2.2 The Efforts and the Result9Chapter 4 Stage in Desperation.114.1 Desperate Behaviors114.2 Reasons for His Behaviors12Conclusion14iiiThe Pathetic Negro Analysis of Protagonists Ment

7、ality in Invisible ManIntroduction RalphEllison(1914- 1994), is known as one of the most distinguished Black writers in the history of American literature. He is among the list of the most influential and successful writers, in the contemporary United States of America. In 1992, Ellison was awarded

8、a special achievement award from the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards. Ellison was also an accomplished sculptor, musician, photographer and college professor. He taught at Bard College, Rutgers University, the University of Chicago, and New York University. Ellison was also a charter member of the Fellow

9、ship of Southern Writers. Professor Margolies considers Invisible Man a recapitulation of the entire history of the Negro, presenting a view of life described by Ellison himself as blues. 1Invisible Man is a novel by Ralph Ellison, published by Random House in 1952. It addresses many of the social a

10、nd intellectual issues facing African-Americans early in the twentieth century, including black nationalism, the relationship between black identity and Marxism, and the reformist racial policies of Booker T. Washington, as well as issues of individuality and personal identity. Invisible Man won the

11、 U.S. National Book Award for Fiction in 1953. 2 In 1998, the Modern Library ranked Invisible Man nineteenth on its list of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century.3Time magazine included the novel in its TIME 100 Best English-language Novels from 1923 to 2005. 4This paper will anal

12、yze the protagonists mentality in self-exploring to discuss the main reasons why the Negro is pathetic. Chapter 1 Background 1.1 Introduction of Negro Since the 16th century, blacks had been sold as commodity from Africa to America and treated as slaves, which treaded their rights underfoot and was

13、also a sad tragedy to all human. The blacks are considered as poor, lazy, dirty criminals and violent in the whites eyes. And they are enslaved, oppressed and discriminated in the society. Firstly, the majority of blacks are deprived of the right to vote. Besides, they have to be normally engaged in

14、 the heavy and the most despised job, while their average wage is only one third or half of the whites and they have the highest unemployment rate. In many states, they can not study in the same school with the white, not have meals in the same table with the white and not travel by the same bus or

15、train. Moreover, the United States government, the Ku Klux Klan and other racists often arrest, torture and kill the blacks at will. There, the eleven states in southern United States, gathers about fifty percent blacks and their life being discriminated and persecuted is particularly appalling.Invi

16、sible Man is just one of the black classic literatures in contemporary American which reflects the Negro issues. 1.2 Creation Background of the NovelPublished in 1952, Invisible Man explores the theme of mans search for his identity and place in society, as seen from the perspective of an unnamed bl

17、ack man in the New York City of the 1930s. In contrast to his contemporaries such as Richard Wright and James Baldwin, RalphEllison created characters that are dispassionate, educated, articulate, and self-aware. Through the protagonist, RalphEllison explores the contrasts between the Northern and S

18、outhern varieties of racism and their alienating effect. The narrator is invisible in a figurative sense, in that people refuse to see him, and also experiences a kind of dissociation. The novel, with its treatment of taboo issues such as incest and the controversial subject of communism, won the 19

19、53 U.S. National Book Award for Fiction. 1RalphEllison says in his introduction to the 30th Anniversary Edition, that he started to write what would eventually become Invisible Man in a barn in Waitsfield, Vermont in the summer of 1945 while on sick leave from the Merchant Marine. The letters he wro

20、te to fellow novelist Richard Wright as he started working on the novel provide evidence for its political context: the disillusion with the Communist Party that he and Wright shared. In a letter to Wright August 18, 1945, Ellison poured out his anger toward party leaders for betraying African Ameri

21、cans and Marxist class politics during the war years. If they want to play ball with the bourgeoisie they neednt think they can get away with it. Maybe we cant smash the atom, but we can, with a few well chosen, well written words, smash all that crummy filth to hell. 5 In the wake of this disillusi

22、on, Ellison began writing Invisible Man, a novel that was, in part, his response to the partys betrayal.Chapter 2 Stage with Hope 2.1 Behaviors with Hope The protagonist, a docile slave, has neither the name nor the identity at that time, because he is an American Negro. At the beginning, he is seve

23、nteen or eighteen years old. And for his successfully speech at high schools commencement, the protagonist is invited to attend to prominent figures party. In fact, it is the informal mens social assembly. To grab the chance to have a speech again, the protagonist joins in a Negros game he and other

24、 Negro kids have to fight with each other. Putting up with the sufferings, he wins a briefcase as a prize. After that, he takes pride in the game. Furthermore, he believes he can succeed as long as he is hard-working. “I wanted to deliver my speech more than anything else in the world, because I fel

25、t that only these men could judge truly my ability, and now this stupid clown was ruining my chances.”6 Obviously, his behavior tells that his ignorant hope comes from what he believes obedience to the white.When entering the Negro college, the protagonist wins recognition from Bledsoe, the headmast

26、er, which seems perfect as he wishes. One day, the protagonist drives a car to Black area with a member of the white board of trustees of the college. On the way to the Black of the slave-quarter section, the protagonist takes the guest to a bar, where there is full of prostitutes and madmen. Owing

27、to the ignominious side in Black of the slave-quarter section to be seen by the respected guest, unfortunately, the protagonist is expelled for disobeying school rules. Before Bledsoe expels him, the protagonist believes in the principles of the Founder with all his heart and soul, and that he belie

28、ves in Bledsoes goodness and kindness in extending the hand of benevolence to helping poor, ignorant people out of the mire and darkness.7 Bledsoe persuades him to find a job in North and writes a recommendation for him. And the protagonist appreciates what Bledsoe does for him. He even gives himsel

29、f a reason that he should be punished to comfort himself. Then the protagonist does all what Bledsoe tells him. However, all he gets is the rejection. When he knows the fact of the recommendation letter in which Bledsoe writes not to give the Negro any chance to get a job, he is fully confused and h

30、urt. In short, his obedience to White and his humility show his ignorant hope; he sees the good in people and has too beautiful and unreal dream. 2.2 Reasons for His Behaviors In Invisible Man，the American Dream has been a crucial factor leading to the protagonists psychological conflicts and his in

31、itiationAlthough the blacks actual social status is low and living conditions are miserable, after they have been announced to be free, most of the African Americans still hold that they can rank among the mainstream society through their humiliation and diligence.8 As an intelligent, deeply introsp

32、ective and highly gifted young man, the protagonist, without exception, surely has his own ideals and ambitions he wants to be another“ Booker TWashington” in the educational circle. He has been occupied with the dream throughout every stage of his initiation. Thus, all his behaviors and efforts are

33、 aiming at this target, which leads up to his habitual thinking and final disillusionment. At the beginning of the story, he and other black children are stripped their coats and blindfolded, picking up the coins in an electrified blanket. Thereafter, he will get a scholarship to a black school. As

34、he imagines that his humility and hard-working will make him stand out in the crowd，he seems to have deeply devoted himself to a myth or a fairy tale. So he just obeys the rules the white set for his American dream.The Negros grandfather is a former slave, usually with humility and obedience. And hi

35、s grandfather is respected by the black and appreciated by the white. The protagonist is also affected by his grandfather. At first, he wins the so-called “success” through his humility and obedience. After a series of events, he is always lost in thought about himself admitting his original nature

36、and his grandfathers last words about silent enduring. Besides, the cruelty of the reality prompts him to remember his grandfathers admonition. Though he does not know the real intention of his grandfather, he decides to take some actions and test his advice. “ Id overcome them with yeses, undermine

37、 them with grins. Id agree them to death and destructionI would hide my anger and lull them to sleep; assure them that the community was in full agreement with their program”62.3 Conclusion of This Stage As a black man, it is the invisible man who has been thinking about the problem how to find his

38、own identity in the white dominated society. As the offspring of the former slaves，when he begins to relate his story, the protagonist concludes: “ I am not ashamed of my grandparents for having been slaves. I am only ashamed of myself for having at one time been ashamed.6 Obviously, the protagonist

39、 has realized the importance of his race and its tradition after he has experienced so much. As early as those pre-invisible days, the protagonist has visualized himself as a potential Booker T. Washington, so unconsciously he is ashamed of his race and the past. There is no doubt that in the Battle

40、 Royal episode, he “felt superior to them(other Black boys) in my way, and I didnt like the manner in which we were all crowded together into the servants elevator.” 6At the beginning of the story, the protagonist even has no independent personality. His confusions are caused by his naive and ignora

41、nce. Under the influence of the Whites education, he always considers to cater for the Whites taste. Besides, he rejects to his own national culture. In the southern United States, at that time, the protagonist resigns himself to adversity. He accepts all insults and humiliations silently, in order

42、to find a space for one person living in the existing social. The protagonist says:“ I was naive. I was looking for myself and asking everyone except myself questions which I, and only I, could answer. It took me a long time and much painful boomeranging of my expectations to achieve a realization e

43、veryone else appear to have been born with: That I am nobody but myself”6 Since suffering from much pain, he has to initiate to consider his own fate. Why is he who has such a terrible life? When he knows who Bledsoe really is, he makes a decision that he no longer depends on anybody. He feels the w

44、hole world neglect him and his life is filled with lies. This stage is his first step to his self-searching he makes a decision that he will prove himself in his future job on his own. Chapter 3 Stage in Struggle 3.1 Struggling Behaviors Fortunately, the protagonist finds his first job in a paint fa

45、ctory by using another ones name. There he is sent to make the paint whiter by putting ten drops of black drop into white paint. However, the protagonist makes a mistake by adding the wrong black liquid. It is in the factory that the protagonist has learnt something about the reality:“ I had a feeli

46、ng that something had gone wrongeither I had played a trick on Kimbro, my boss or he, like the trustees and Bledsoe, was playing one on me”6 It all goes to show that the invisible man is not ready to fight against the society, for he has not been awakened completely yet. After that, he goes to the f

47、urnace room. There he is wrongly guided for some reason, which leads to a boiler explosion. Later, the protagonist is sent to a hospital and a doctor carries an operation on his brain, which marks a turning point actually. When he wakes up, he remembers nothing. Moreover, he does not know who he is.

48、 While the protagonist recovers from his operation, he lodges in a friendly Negro lady Marys home. The lady lives in New York, however, she still insists on who she is and keeps her own nature. What Mary does and what Mary says make the protagonist recall his life in South. Happily, he gets rid of t

49、he sense of disgust towards Negros life and he does not need to cater to the White. Gradually, he begins to realize and accept himself. Once a time, he witnesses the eviction of an old Black coupleFor his experiences in the Harlem district, it seems to see himself evicted. Using his power of speech，

50、he makes a passionate speech，which starts a small demonstration and a full-scale riot. Subsequently, a political organization, the Brotherhood, employs him as a spokesman for the Harlem district. The protagonist needs to live a life on his own, not the Negro lady, so he accepts the offer in the end,

51、 which means he abandons the real him he just finds. The Brotherhood gives him a new identity, pays off his rental and provides him a new accommodation. These treatments make him overjoyed and he takes the organization as his new dreamful place. Because he is becoming another person and he is gainin

52、g recognition. In fact, The Brotherhood is an organization which stresses absolute obedience. What the protagonist will do must follow the rules the white boss has set with no doubt. He has not realized that he is just their tool. The protagonist has worked so hard that gradually he has established

53、his fame as a spokesman. But as we all know life never goes as we wish. The protagonist is faced with undeserved accusation who declares that the protagonist is an opportunist and wants to use the Brotherhood movement to advance his own interest. Later, he is forced to give up his assignment in Harl

54、em district.9 3.2 Reasons for His Behaviors3.2.1 Social PhenomenonAfter being forced to the United States with suffering from the oppression and exploitation more than two hundred years, blacks gradually lost the independent character and the spirit of resistance. In order to survive in the harsh li

55、ving conditions under brutal and inhuman oppression, they have to resign themselves to adversity not to fight and be grateful after suffering from pains. For a long time, Negro struggle between assimilation and keeping self, as Dubois said: In the American society, every black man can feel his own d

56、uality as an American and Negro every slave has two souls, two thoughts, two competitions to reconcile and two ideological struggles in one black body. Despite the end of the civil war gains free status for black, this freedom does not means the blacks get rid of the oppressed, discriminated fate. M

57、ost different, their being oppressed and discriminated is no longer as slavery period as the physical torture, but a kind of spiritual maltreatment and penetrates into all aspects of their life.3.2.2 The Efforts and the ResultThe second stage is his self-struggling. From the paint factory, Marys home to the Brotherhood, the protagonist does his best to make himself visible. We can easily see that every time he has a dream, he has troubles. Then he begins to think abo