Invisible Vs Invisible

Jacques is furiously puffing his cigar, as if that mere act in itself could impose his argument in favour of Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man over H.G. Well’s The Invisible Man. “He stood for something!” said Jacques in exasperation, “and something noble.” 

Our Invisible Man, not the one from H.G. Wells and nor the one from Ralph Ellison just looked sympathetically at Jacques, while drawing on his own cigar. He knew what it must feel to be like Jacques, and then turning his gaze back to the lake, he pondered over the two contrasting characters from the books bearing the same title as The Invisible Man. What would be Jacques choice, if he could only choose to be either of the two?

The Invisible Man vs Invisible Man

The two novels that share a title and a common theme, but are vastly different in their execution and purpose. While both novels explore the idea of invisibility, they do so in very different ways and with very different meanings.

H.G. Wells' The Invisible Man

Was first published in 1897 and tells the story of a scientist named Griffin who discovers a way to make himself invisible. The novel follows Griffin as he becomes increasingly isolated and dangerous, using his newfound power for personal gain and eventually descending into madness.

Ralph Ellison's The Invisible Man

Was published in 1952 Tells the story of an unnamed black man in the United States who feels invisible and marginalized due to the racism and discrimination he faces. The novel explores the narrator's journey towards self-discovery and recognition in a society that denies his existence.

Science Fiction vs Literary Fiction

One of the most significant differences between the two novels is their respective genres. Wells' novel is a science fiction story, while Ellison's is a work of literary fiction. This distinction is important because it reflects the different approaches that the authors take towards the idea of invisibility.

In The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells, invisibility is a scientific concept that is explored through the character of Griffin, a scientist who invents a way to render himself invisible. H.G. Wells novel is primarily concerned with the consequences of Griffin's invisibility, both for himself and for those around him. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of science and the pursuit of knowledge without ethical considerations.

In contrast, Ralph Ellison's The Invisible Man uses invisibility as a metaphor for the experience of black Americans in a society that denies their humanity. The novel explores the ways in which black people are made invisible through racism, discrimination, and prejudice, and how this invisibility leads to feelings of alienation, isolation, and powerlessness. Ellison's novel is not concerned with the physical concept of invisibility, but rather the psychological and social implications of invisibility.

Mad Scientist Vs Nameless

Another significant difference between the two novels is their treatment of the protagonist. In Wells' novel, Griffin is portrayed as a mad scientist whose invisibility turns him into a dangerous and unstable figure. The novel is primarily concerned with his descent into madness and the consequences of his actions.

In Ellison's novel, the protagonist is an unnamed black man who is struggling to find his place in a society that denies his existence. The novel follows his journey of self-discovery and the ways in which he comes to understand his own invisibility and the societal structures that perpetuate it. Unlike Griffin in Wells' novel, the narrator of Ellison's novel is not a villain, but rather a sympathetic character struggling to navigate a hostile world.

“Stop glorifying powerlessness and timidity” said our Invisible Man without looking at Jacques, while continuing to draw on his cigar.   Individuals, he felt, were in control of their own destinies, and that with hard work and determination, anyone could overcome the obstacles in their path.

The world has shamelessly adopted a defeatist attitude, encouraging men to embrace it with pride. Where was that rugged individualism and its celebration in which invisible men for centuries blossomed?  In some sense the latter is exemplified in H.G. Wells' The Invisible Man, in which the protagonist, Griffin, demonstrates an unwavering sense of agency and control over his own fate.

In contrast, Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man presents a far more bleak and deterministic view of the world, in which individuals are largely powerless to control their own destinies. In Ellison's novel, the protagonist is a young African-American man struggling to assert his identity in a society that systematically ignores and erases the experiences of black people. Despite his best efforts, the protagonist is repeatedly thwarted by a system that seems designed to keep him down.

While it is true that both protagonists experience invisibility in different ways, it is clear that Griffin, the protagonist of The Invisible Man, is far more in control of his own destiny than the protagonist of Ellison's novel. This is evidenced by a number of factors, including Griffin's ability to use his invisibility to achieve his goals, his willingness to take risks and seize opportunities, and his overall sense of agency and self-determination.

Invisibility, a force not a handicap

One of the key ways in which Griffin demonstrates his control over his own destiny is through his use of his invisibility as an advantage to achieve his goals. From the very beginning of the novel, Griffin is shown to be a driven and ambitious scientist, who has dedicated his life to unlocking the secrets of invisibility.

When he finally achieves his goal, he is initially ecstatic, seeing his newfound power as a means to achieve his own ends. He uses his invisibility to steal, intimidate, and manipulate those around him, all in pursuit of his ultimate goal: to reverse the process and regain his own visibility.

While some might argue that Griffin's use of his invisibility is unethical or immoral, it is important to note that he is never portrayed as a mere victim of circumstance.

Rather, he is a highly intelligent and resourceful individual who is able to make the most of the opportunities presented to him. Even when he faces setbacks and challenges, he is able to adapt and find new ways to achieve his goals. For example, when he is forced to flee the village where he has been staying, he sets up a laboratory in a remote location, and continues his experiments in secret.

In contrast, the protagonist of Ellison's Invisible Man is portrayed as largely powerless in the face of the systemic racism and oppression that he faces. Despite his best efforts to assert his identity and make a name for himself, he is repeatedly thwarted by a society that seems designed to keep him down. For example, when he is expelled from college after delivering a controversial speech, he is left with few options, and is forced to take a menial job at a paint factory.

Internal Vs External Locus of Control

When it comes to the question of ageny and control over one's own destiny, it is clear that Griffin, the protagonist of The Invisible Man, is far more in control of his fate than the protagonist of Ellison's novel.

This is due in large part to Griffin's unwavering sense of agency and self-determination, which allows him to adapt and thrive even in the face of adversity.

Ellison’s Invisible Man on the other hand has accepted his powerlessness and handed the control of his destiny to external circumstances. This is reinforced throughout the novel as the protagonist encounters a series of characters who are also struggling to assert their own agency and control over their own destinies.

From the manipulative Brotherhood to the cynical Ras the Exhorter, the characters in Ellison's novel are all grappling with their own sense of powerlessness in the face of larger societal forces.

Risk Seeking Vs Risk Averse

Another key factor that sets Griffin apart from the protagonist of Ellison's Invisible Man is his willingness to take risks and seize opportunities. Throughout the novel, Griffin is shown to be a highly intelligent and resourceful individual who is constantly seeking out new challenges and opportunities.

Even when he faces setbacks and challenges, he is never content to simply give up or accept his fate.

For example, when Griffin, from H.G. Wells Invisible Man first becomes invisible, he sees it as an opportunity to achieve his lifelong goal of becoming a successful scientist. Rather than hiding away, he uses it to further his own ambitions and achieve his own ends.

Similarly, when he is forced to flee from the village where he has been staying, he does not give up or resign himself to his fate. Instead, he sets up a new laboratory in a remote location, and continues his experiments in secret.

The protagonist of Ellison's Invisible Man though, is often portrayed as hesitant and uncertain, afraid to take risks or seize opportunities. This is due in large part to the systemic racism and oppression that he faces, which makes it difficult for him to assert himself and make his voice heard.

Rather than taking risks and pursuing his goals with unwavering determination, he is often hesitant and unsure, afraid to make waves or upset the status quo.

This sense of hesitancy and uncertainty is exemplified by the protagonist's relationship with the Brotherhood, a political organization that he joins in an effort to assert his own agency and make a difference in the world.

However, as he becomes more involved with the organization, he begins to realize that their goals are not aligned with his own, and that he may have made a mistake in joining them. Rather than taking decisive action to rectify the situation, he is hesitant and unsure, unsure of how to extricate himself from the situation.

Epilogue

Ultimately, it is clear that Griffin, the protagonist of The Invisible Man, is far more in control of his own destiny than the protagonist of Ellison's novel. His unwavering sense of agency and self-determination, combined with his willingness to take risks and seize opportunities, allow him to adapt and thrive even in the face of adversity.

In contrast, the protagonist of Ellison's Invisible Man is often portrayed as hesitant and uncertain, unsure of how to assert himself or make his voice heard.

Who would you choose to be, if these two characters were the only ones you could choose from?