Definitions of Identity/Invisibility in Invisible Man

Identity (along with its relative invisibility) is a major theme in Invisible Man. While reading the novel, it isn't hard to notice how the definitions of identity and invisibility shift and change, especially with the view of different characters. There is no one exact explanation for either of the terms.

For example, when the narrator first introduces himself as invisible to the reader, he clarifies that he is in fact "a man of substance, of flesh, and bone, fiber liquids...[and] a mind" (3)--his invisibility is the inability for others to see him, in a mental and figurative sense ("That invisibility to which I refer to occurs because of a peculiar disposition of the eyes of those with whom I come in contact. A matter of the construction of their inner eyes, those eyes with which they look through their physical eyes upon reality" (3)). He adds later in the epilogue (a.k.a. the extended prologue) that his sole job as an invisible man was to reflect--affirming whoever is around him, no matter their ethics, morality, or accuracy--thus constantly shifting what he identifies with (and his identity) with his surroundings. Now, he claims to no longer adopt the opinions of others, rebelling to become a true "invisible man". His identity, therefore, has changed from being the sum of the others around him to originating from his own person.

In the beginning of the book, the Vet's definition of invisibility is associated with mechanicality. As he tells Mr. Norton about the narrator, "Already he's learned to repress not only his emotions but his humanity. He's invisible, a walking personification of the Negative, the most perfect achievement of your dreams, sir! The mechanical man!" (94). To the Vet, someone who is invisible is identified as a blind "automaton", implying that to be invisible is to be mindless, non-sentient, and ignorant (which the narrator rebuffs in the epilogue, "I'm invisible, not blind" (576)).

Later on, we learn how Dr. Bledsoe's definition of invisibility is concerned with the amount of power one has. Because Bledsoe sees the lack of power the narrator has compared to his claimed immense power over all the white people, Bledsoe calls the narrator a "nobody" and says he "[doesn't] exist" (143). According to Bledsoe, a lack of power is synonymous with a lack of identity--not necessarily invisible, but certainly not visible in any way that matters.

A similar connection of invisibility with power continues when the narrator meets the Brotherhood, who first tells him "The longer you remain unknown...the longer you'll be effective" (284). In standing with the Brotherhood's ideals, the individual "[doesn't] count" (291) and the importance is in the crowd and unit. Therefore, an individual does not have the capacity of use that one who is invisible (or who has a lack of identity) does. The narrator ends up using this capacity as an invisible man to his advantage, even in the 'end'.

The way that the definitions for identity and invisibility change so much and are fluid throughout the Invisible Man could be interpreted as a comment from Ellison that there is no one identity per one person, or, that one's identity is determined from that person's own perception of it.