How Does Ralph Ellison Use Power In Invisible Man

Ralph Ellison, in "Invisible Man" introduces the reader into a black and white world through the lens of a lost black man confused on what his place in society is. Throughout the novel, Invisible Man comes in contact with many people who influence him in his path to understanding his identity, such as Dr. Bledsoe and The Brotherhood. The search for his Identify also leads the narrator on a journey to find what power he holds in society. Ellison uses power through relationships to guide Invisible Man through many situations where he is tested by the authoritative figures in his life to find his self importance and societal approval, in a society where black people are at a disadvantage due to the racist outlook on black black by stereotypes.

Instead of expelling Invisible Man Bledsoe sends him to New York as an alternative despite the narrator believing he's saving up money for his tuition next year for Tuskegee. Bledsoe provides several letters, which he isn't allowed to unseal, for Invisible Man to give to the addressed individual to help him get a job. Although after arriving in New York and being unable to secure a job after giving out Bledoes letters. While turning in the last letter to a Trustee named Mr. Emerson, on the way he met his son instead. Giving him the letter, Young Emerson reads the letter and goes back to Invisible Man giving him advice to “...forget about returning back to the college.” and to “Go somewhere else”(Ellison 188). Invisible Man, who spoke about Dr.Bledsoe highly during his conversation with young Emerson was confused and angry with him for he told Emerson about his plan to become Dr.Bledoes assistant at Tuskegee. Mr. Emerson sympathetically, reveals to Invisible man the derogatory statements in the letter Bledsoe had written, confirming why he hasn't heard back from any of the trustees he had delivered a letter to. The use of the letters displayed Bledsoes ability to control Invisible man's life by leading him away from Tuskegee University and still being able to control his fate in New York by stopping him from getting a stable job with good income.. Bledsoes actions and betrayal to Invisible Man made him realize that things would not be handed to him and that he had to work for it, with the motivation of wanting to get back at Bledsoe the narrator changes his outlook on the world, taking action into his own