Invisible Man and The White Boy shuffle, Importance of Identity

The theme of identity seemed to be a focal point in Invisible Man, it was rather clean cut and obvious that throughout the story different identities are placed on the narrator. The choice whether or not he chooses to accept them is not always his. The narrator in Invisible Man is often confused and not fully understanding of what is happening but as readers we always know that nothing good will come from his given identity. On the opposite end of the spectrum Gunnar in The White Boy Shuffle is painfully self aware of the identities that are placed on him and often makes witty remarks that relate the the given identity. The difference in how the 2 characters accept their given identities allows the reader to understand more about the thought process of both the character and the author.   

The identity of the narrator in Invisible man seems to have been beaten to death but the core concept is that as the plot continues and the narrator evolves as a person many different INCORRECT identities are placed on him. Several examples include a boxer in the first chapter, an educated college man and a union worker all in the span of 1 chapter, and then of course the direct “new identity” that is given to the narrator by the brotherhood. With each new identity that is placed on the narrator it seems that he becomes more confused. With only brief moments of clarity such as the real purpose of the letters and the final chapter, the narrator spends the most time attempting to fit into a mold which he is the complete wrong size.

Gunnar in The White Boy Shuffle also has identities placed on him throughout the book but unlike the narrator it seems that he has more moments of clarity and understanding than confusion to the new identity. For example when Gunnar is called a “cool funny black guy” he understands what it means and takes it stride, Gunnar continues to joke about the idea of colorblindness and makes “uncomfortable” comparisons between race “colorblindness” and the medical condition of colorblindness. As the novel continues Gunnar begins to care less and less about what he means to other people and rather what he is to himself. It may be argued that Gunnar cares far too little about what he is to other people, but his independence and ideals create the identity that he accepts as his own.

The difference in how each character chooses to accept the identities that are placed on them shows what type of person they are and what the author is trying to show my placing the identity on the character. Gunnar the tone of the novel is conveyed very well with the humorous approach to the identity while the serious tone and conclusions on race made in Invisible Man show how identity helps define not only a character but also the novel as a whole.

The Retrieval of the Simple Life

Their Eyes Were Watching God starts with Janie, the main character only days after the discovery of her own sexuality being forced into an unwanted marriage. The marriage is forced by Janie's grandmother and is the attempt to do what is best for Janie's future. Janie marries an old farmer whom she doesn't love but assumes love will blossom as the marriage continues. Not only does she not love her husband, she also hates the work that is required of her. When her husband finally decided that Janie is too spoiled and needs to work the fields along with the housework does she escape and find a new man.

Chapter 4 gives the impression to the readers that Janie hates doing manual labor and is very spoiled, why else would she run away from her husband while he buys a mule for her to help on the farm? Its seems very clear that only reason she runs away is to get away from the “dirty” lifestyle and not have to do the hard work on the farm. In reality she was planning to run away whether or not Logan was to force her into working the fields, then when she sees a man on the road she uses her opportunity and escapes into a better life. This makes it clear that Janie was fed up with her lifestyle and wanted a change. However when Janie finally finds her true love: Tea Cake.She changes her attitude regarding work. When Janie and Tea Cake move to the Muck, Tea Cake starts working and picking beans out in the field to make money. Despite the fact that Janie has over one thousand dollars in saving she decided to work with Tea cake and take part in all the lower class activities that she previously avidly hated.

The change in opinion seems to stem from the lack of choice, but when Janie chooses to work on the glades she is giving herself a second attempt at happiness. The reason why Janie feels the need to find happiness is because when she only started to accept herself and learn more about her feelings to become happy, she was immediately sent off to the “right” stable life choice. Since after escaping her forced marriage she was once again forced into a role she did not enjoy. In order to finally fulfill her life she does what she wants, and what's she wants is to spend time with her true love no matter what work is required or the social class that she is with.

Does this portion of the text cause the reader to think if Janie loves Tea Cake so much that she will tolerate the work or does her opinion of the work change? I would love to know your opinion.