and what do I want ? " The invisibility which the narrator refers to is two fold. First, he has come to realize that others do not see him for who he is ; instead he is viewed only through stereotypes. Ellison's hero is never seen as an individual, rather he is defined only as others feel he should be. Therefore he cannot seek a satisfying role in life because he is relegated to the position which white society determines is appropriate. The second aspect of his invisibility is his inability to see himself as an individual . He has been authored by society for so long that he is unable to determine his own identity . During the story the boy has functioned as he believes others (whites , his family ) expect him to. Individuality has been subverted by expectations and the narrator is invisible to himself. One of the main characteristic traits of the "invisible boy" seems to be blindness. He is failing to see reality in one way or another . In the story he is invited to repeat his valedictory speech in which he said that " humility was the secret , indeed , the very essence of progress" (449) before the white leaders of the town. These men, however, humiliate the protagonist and some other black youths by forcing them to engage in a "battle royal," a blindfolded fist fight in which the last standing participant is victorious and tempting them to fight for counterfeit coins tossed on an electrified rug . Even after being degraded, beaten up, used, and treated like an animal the narrator still wants to impress his abusers and he delivers his oration . During the speech the men ridicule him and only make i...
