Intersectionality and Psychological Turmoil in Invisible Man (1952) by Ralph Ellison

Abstract

The African American experience is identified by its history of racism that has triggered ongoing conflicts of identity. Numerous African American writers like Ralph Ellison, engaged with the issues of identity. Ellison’s Invisible Man (1952) stands as a symbolic novel for these traumas. This dissertation reviews the complex themes of identity, race and psychological struggle in Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. This research explores essential characteristics and themes of African American literature, particularly the depiction of identity and race. It highlights the cultural and historical foundations that shape African American narratives. Its focus is directed towards the role of intersectionality and the multiple aspects of identity in Invisible Man along with their contribution to the psychological challenges faced by the protagonist. It views the way main concepts such as race, identity, discrimination and psychological turmoil shape the individual`s experiences and struggles.