Finding Identity In Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man

In the novel Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, the invisible man struggles with finding his identity while attempting to overcome the obstacles of racism. Ellison conveys through the oratory motif that even though black people are oppressed, used, and manipulated they still have the power of oration. Speeches to the invisible man grant him a sense of importance, individuality, and a connection to people which help him uncover parts of his identity. A vital turning point in the invisible man’s character is revealed during his speech at Clifton’s funeral. Torn between obeying the Brotherhood and respecting his friendship the invisible man needs to choose between conforming to the brotherhood or staying loyal to Clifton. While the rest of the Brotherhood

Confused and mournful, the invisible man questions why Clifton would essentially commit suicide. Invisible man tries to understand the concept of why Clifton would sell these vulgar dolls but “ could think of no justification for Clifton’s having sold the dolls” (440). Attempting to distances himself from Clifton’s situation the invisible man calls the incident “political” (Ellison 439) when he feels all the emotions of his friend's murder. Filled with grief, the invisible man feels a “weight that seemed to pull [him] down” (440). The invisible man doesn’t support Clifton “Even though I wanted to turn away from it” (440). Even after the invisible man makes up his mind to devote his time to Clifton’s cause he still refuses to acknowledge the truth about him selling dolls. Clifton’s death keeps replaying in his head “to turn from Clifton’s crumpled body on the walk” (440). The invisible man tries to forget his personal involvement with Clifton’s death by justifying that the only reason for a funeral is because he “was shot down. Unarmed” (441). During the invisible man’s improvised speech he fails to separate his personal involvement and ends up moving the crowd but not in the direction he