浅析《看不见的人》中美国黑人的本能反应

【Abstract】Invisible Man is the first novel written by Ralph Ellison，a postmodernist novelist. The author successfully portraits the image of a nameless black youth who ultimately realizes the change from the “invisible” to “visible”. The paper aims to telling people the truth through the paper that only when a man really inspires his/her instinct can he/she overcome difficulties through the strong willpower， identify him/her， and determine his/ her self-position to go for the brightness.

【Key words】the American black；instinctive reaction； willpower； demands

【摘 要】《看不见的人》是美国后现代主义作家拉尔夫・埃里森的第一部长篇小说，作者成功地塑造了一位无名美国黑人形象，最终实现了由“看不见”到“看得见”的转变。本文旨在告诉人们一个道理：即只有真正激发出人的本能，才能凭借坚强的意志克服种种困难，才能寻找自我、确定自我地位走出困境。

【关键词】美国黑人；本能反应；意志力；需求

1. Introduction

Ralph Ellison， a postmodernist novelist， won immortal fame for Invisible Man’s ideological implication and unique artistic style. Invisible Man， awarded as “the epochmaking novel”， is a landmark novel in the history of AfroAmerican literature.

Ralph Ellison usually reflects the real society and speaks highly of man’s instinct by comparing his own life with the protagonist’s in Invisible Man. What’s more， by this way he helps the American black realize the value of man’s instinct and encourages them to develop man’s instinct to the fullest.

The writer grasps the significance and valuation of man’s instinct by analyzing the famous novel and reading a multitude of reference documents， and finishes the thesis on the basis of the point of view. The thesis investigates and explores the importance and worth of man’s instinct. Shortly speaking， as long as the black rely on their instincts to pursue the real and natural thoughts and needs， they can overcome difficulties， make success and go for the brightness.

2. The Performances of the American Black’s Instinctive Reaction in Invisible Man

Instinct means a natural tendency and ability to behave or know what to do in a particular situation （Zhang， 2003：744）. In America， the American black are oppressed and slaved by the white cruelly. In the face of the grim situation， the American black naturally tend to make a series of reactions.

2.1 Dr. Bledsoe’s Obedience

Due to the American black’s different situations， they have different pursuits and purposes； therefore， they may make different instinctive reactions. Dr. Bledsoe is a typical example， who is always reverent and respectful to the white by instinct. In front of the white， Dr. Bledsoe displays his obedience and respect out of man’s instinct.

2.2 Other American Blacks’ Obedience

The majorities of the black suffer from the bullying and insult even the black children are forced to participate in certain cruel combat （Qiao， 2008：635）. Lucius Brockway has no complaints about the cruel boss even he is grateful that he can acquire such a creditable job to produce something under the ground which is extremely filthy and dangerous. In the eyes of the white， the black like Lucius Brockway are just tools making profits for them and even can be discarded at any time.

In America， out of man’s instinct， facing such a variety of difficulties， they would obey and accept the oppression. But some blacks are anxious to achieve emancipation through rebellion.

2.3 The Protagonist’s-“I” ’s Rebellion

After “I” notice the fact that “I” am always seen as an invisible man and not recognized by the society wherever “I” go and whatever “I” do. Instinctively， “I” decide to make good use of “I”’s knowledge and skills to rebel against the white for freedom and rights， for “I” am evoked thoroughly by the white’s behaviors.

However， the protagonist， a special type， just represents a small part of the American black， and most of the black possessing some guns and arms tend to set out a race riot to rebel for freedom and rights.}

2.4 Other American Blacks’ Rebellion

In America， those blacks have the similar tastes and interests get together to come to an agreement. They organize Brotherhood to pull together to battle with the white. Most members of Brotherhood make positive efforts to rebel against the white by violence and public fight.

In America， some blacks stoop to compromise by instinct either just for survival or for their ranks and reputation. However， those blacks whose instincts are stimulated further fight for their rights and go all out to strive. The two completely different performances are caused by many reasons and factors， but surely out of man’s instinct.

3. The Psychological Motivation of Instinctive Reaction

It’s necessary to analyze the psychological motivation of the American black’s instinctive Reaction.

3.1 Man’s Willpower

Maslow gives willpower the definition in his famous Maslow’s Humanistic Philosophy in 2003 that a person unconsciously and instinctively determines the purpose and in accordance with the purpose guides his action to overcome various difficulties to achieve the goal.

The protagonist fully presents his willpower through his actions. Although he has so bitter memory and painful experiences， he never shakes his resolve to survive. All the experiences stimulate him to struggle and to fight.

Other blacks make endeavors by instinct to battle for the rights， freedom and change the present situation， too. All of them are determined to go ahead for the promising future persistently.

3.2 Man’s Demands

According to Maslow’s theory of needs， his/her needs include physiological needs， security needs， social needs， esteem needs and self-actualization needs， and these five needs are divided from a lower level to a higher one（Ma， 2003：54）. These five needs are essential for man， and regarded as man’s instinctive demands and the prerequisite of man survival.

When people satisfy the basic physiological needs， they tend to require much more instinctively. Man is a kind of social animals and subconsciously needs interpersonal communication. Some blacks whose awareness arouses are anxious that other black compatriots can echo to their call and exchange each other’s thoughts.

The highest state of the demands is the self-actualization needs. The black are also thirsty for obtaining certain rewards， prize or social position after finishing some project or making some commission.

The five needs from man’s instinct inspire man to make further efforts to pursue and achieve the final goal， and offer the endless motivation for the black to rebel for freedom and rights.

4. Conclusion

Through the above analysis and research， the readers may be aware of the tremendous significance of man’s instinct and pay more attention to it. The writer wants to tell the truth that only when man’s instinct is evoked can he/she strive for his/her aim and goal， hold on consistently and persistently and finally make a success. The paper aims to appealing people to comply with the natural law to respect and ultimate human nature.

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