A 1952 National Book Award winner, Invisible Man, written by Ralph Ellison is a novel about the societal struggles and growth of an unnamed African American male. This novel is categorized under the “bildungsroman” genre, meaning its intent is to tell a story of a character that grows physically and psychologically throughout the narrative, usually starting with a loss or tragedy that influences the character emotionally or physically. This popular genre, utilized in many famous literary works, is identified by four main characteristics that usually aim to criticize areas in society that cause conflict for the protagonist of the story: the call, the apprenticeship, maturity, and acceptance of remedy. I will choose to further expand on these four characteristics using the critical lens of liberal humanism which argues that “the purpose of literature is essentially the enhancement of life and the propagation of humane values”(Barry). The four stages of bildungsroman are evident in Ellison’s Invisible Man, however, using the liberal humanism analytical lens, I argue that these four stages act as symbols to today’s society.

The first identifiable bildungsroman stage, the call. The call stage is the event that inspires the psychological journey of the character. Here  in Invisible Man  is very obviously the prologue and introduction of the narrator. Here is where he identifies himself as an invisible man. He explains that he is not literally invisible, but figuratively. In a quote the narrator says, “I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me” (pp. 3). This psychological perception of himself will soon become the motivation behind his actions and the stories progression. Additionally, the narrator encounters a blonde man. After a crude conversion, the narrator ends up “mugging” the man, but unaware that this was the name of the action. In chapter one “the call” stage is still unraveling as the narrator recalls his grandparents being freed slaves after the Civil War when they believed they were separate but equal. He also recalls delivering speech at his graduation giving instruction to remain humble. I believe that the narrator was purposely unnamed  by Ellison to further emphasize the “invisibility” that African Americans were facing in this time frame amidst a civil rights movement. 

The events in the Prologue and Chapter one give the audience an understanding of “the call” stage of bildungsroman but chapter two begins to focus on the apprenticeship aspect. The apprenticeship characteristic is defined as the education the character receives in order to learn his place in society. In the very last paragraph of chapter one the narrator stirred awake from a dream he was having that he could not depict the meaning of. There is foreshadowing in the text warning the reader that this would be a repetitive dream he would have to which his response is, “but at that time I had no insight into its meaning. First I had to attend college” (pp. 33). On campus, he acknowledges a statue of the Founder. Upon marveling at this statue he thinks, “I am standing puzzled, unable to decide whether the veil is really being lifted, or lowered more firmly in place; whether I am witnessing a revelation or a more efficient binding” (pp. 36). Here, he will be employed by Mr. Norton to drive him around. This can be associated with the apprenticeship stage because through conversation and positive interaction, the narrator is given information and new knowledge that only advances him psychologically. As the narrator progresses through the novel, the reader will see this same pattern when he is employed by Lucius Brockway of Liberty Paints. In this scenario, he is being forced into assimilation of white culture. This relates to a liberal humanist lens because there is a positive interaction between a new character, a white man, and the narrator thus emphasizing humane values that were unpopular in actions and opinions in this time frame. 

    The third and fourth stages of bildungsroman are successfully achieved if the first step -- the call and apprenticeship -- are executed effectively in the novel. In this case, as the reader follows the narrator through these stages, his maturity (third stage) and acceptance of remedy (fourth stage) becomes apparent. The maturity of the character develops from growth of his psychological and apprenticeship states. When maturity is achieved, the character gains acceptance of oneself and whatever the solution– favorable or unfavorable -  influences their life psychologically, educationally, and maturely. Throughout the telling of his stories over the course of 25 chapters, the audience can see growth in the narrator in regard to racial identity and the power that is held over him by white folks. His acceptance in the Epilogue is a reflection on the meaning of what his grandfather had said about agreeing with them until death. The narrator decides that he does not resent or covet Jack’s power and Rinehart’s freedom but would rather be in his hole to discover what he wants and who he is.  A quote said by the narrator in the Epilogue can further solidify this argument; “and my problem was that I always tried to go in everyone’s way but my own. I have also been called one thing and then another while no one really wished to hear what I called myself. So after years of trying to adopt the opinions of others I finally rebelled. I am an invisible man.” Bildungsroman is illustrated through this quote because, realization of being an “invisible man” in the beginning was from a negative connotation. Here, after many experiences, the narrator recognizes this but from a matured mindset. Keeping in mind liberal humanism, a more relaxed definition that would be applicable to this specific instance would be that this concept argues that people are individuals and individuality is the essence of who one is.  As stated, in the beginning the narrator recognizes that the color of his skin determines who he is as an individual. Similarly, his external appearance has not changed over the course of the novel, but his mindset accepted his individuality as an “invisible man.” 

   Ellison’s utilization of Bildungsroman elements in Invisible Man  normalizes societal adaptions in a series of steps to the audience. This novel deserves a more in depth study to adequately appreciate the hardships and values Ellison articulated. Literature is written with the purpose to enhance and bring awareness to essential values; intrinsically and extrinsically. Bildungsroman’s four stages -- call, apprenticeship, maturity, and acceptance of remedy -- powerfully exemplify this purpose.