Throughout the novel, there are numerous references to the real life experiences and encounters of the author Ralph Ellison. For example, the "college" and the "Brotherhood" are two major symbolic institutions in the book that represents movements and philosophies of the author's contemporary period.
The college's ideology seems to be based on Ellison's outspoken friend, Booker T. Washington, whose works advocated for economic advancements while not clamoring for equality or civil rights. The college seems to reject black culture, which many believes it to be an ideologies that essentially turns its back on black culture as a whole.
The Brotherhood can be seen patterened off the philosophies and ethics of the 1930s communist movement that first took place in Russia and later spread around the world, reaching America. This group/organization emphasized clinical, scientific exposition over the emotional appeal that the college presented.
Good job George, I think you posted this blog because you were the only one who read the invisible man in our team. Anyways, I think you explained the symbols really well in comparison with the book!
ReplyDelete-Kelli
Thanks Kelli, I tried my best explaining the symbols. You guys should read the Invisible Man too!
ReplyDeleteGeorge
I think all authors of literary merit include some aspect of their experiences and beliefs into their writing. I like the connection you made between the Brotherhood and communist movement in the 1930s. It's helpful making that connection between the author's ideologies and the story's context to further understand the novel.
ReplyDelete-Matt A.
Thank you Matt, I appreciate your response. I think when an author implements symbolism that's widely known as Ralph Ellison did in his book, it's easier for the audience to connect with the book and they'll have a more enjoyable experience reading it.
ReplyDelete-George
I find this blog pretty interesting. Sometimes its harder to look past the actual story that we are reading to study it and find out what it all means and where some of the ideas came from. I like the connection of the work to the author that you presented here. I didn't know how it all connected exactly beforehand.
ReplyDeleteChad L.
I remember reading somewhere how the college was connected to some real figure named Washington. I was curious to see if whether this was true and whether if the Brotherhood represented something. I was quite surprised when I got the information that I did..
ReplyDelete-George
This is a very interesting post! I didn't realize that the college could stand for Washington's philosophy. When I focused more on the philosophical approach, I forgot to take into consideration what we know of the author!
ReplyDelete-Erica W.
When reading this, it made me think of the Poisonwood Bible, and all the references she made to books such as The Things They Carried, and poems by Emily Dickenson, such as Hope is the Thing With Feathers.
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