The Theme of Black Leadership in Invisible Man Essay

Ralph Ellisons interest in effective black leadership is directly reflected in Invisible Man. The characterization of Bledsoe in the beginning of the story is that of a ruthlessly self-serving black leader (McSweeny). In chapter five, a mythic model for black leadership is outlined in the eulogy of the founder of the college, which is given by Homer A. Barbee (McSweeny). While Invisible Man is residing in the apartment of Mary Rambo, she drills into his head the importance of leadership and responsibility. In chapter thirteen the anger of the crowd watching the eviction begins to rise, and as one onlooker observes that All they need is a leader (Ellison 274). These events lead to Invisible Mans first act of leadership when he†¦show more content†¦One of the reasons that the idea of joining the Brotherhood is so appealing to him is that it is a well organized group. The character of Brother Jack has a very cynical view of black leadership. He believes that leaders are made, not born, and that they are eventually destroyed by the people who created them (McSweeny). This view of the nonspontaneous generation of black leaders might, however, be challenged by the moment in the race-riot in chapter 25 when Dupre and Scofield organize their neighbors and take effective action (McSweeny). The novel also portrays the extremes of black leadership through the characters of Bledsoe and Ras. Bledsoe shows the Uncle Tom end of the spectrum. He demeans himself before whites in public in order to get ahead. Ras exemplifies the other end of the spectrum. He is a militant separatist who resents any blacks that associate with whites. The failure of these two extreme forms of leadership are responsible for the death of Tod Clifton (mainly Rass form). In the novel, Clifton represents the potential of Black America (McSweeny). His faithful commitment to the brotherhood is weakened by the plea of Ras to think black and to use his black intelligence. Clifton eventually leaves the Brotherhood because after listening to Ras he realizes that they are using him for nothing more than for theShow MoreRelatedLoss of Identity in Invisible Man Essay1262 Words   |  6 Pages Loss of Identity in Invisible Man nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; No matter how hard the Invisible Man tries, he can never break from the mold of black society. This mold is crafted and held together by white society during the novel. The stereotypes and expectations of a racist society compel blacks to behave only in certain ways, never allowing them to act according to their own will. 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