10. Do you think Ellison made artistic compromises in order to make Invisible Man accessible to white readers?

[John]

10. In spite of its vast success (or perhaps because of it), Ellison's novel—and the author himself—were fiercely criticized in some circles for being insufficiently "Afrocentric." Do you think this is true? Do you think Ellison made artistic compromises in order to make Invisible Man accessible to white readers?

[Kristel]

I do think there is some truth to the criticism especially as viewed from this time. I think if the author wrote the book today it would more Afrocentric. Given the time period that it was written and also one must remember that the author was writing a book about what wasn't working for blacks in America. Trying to work with whites wasn't working and we can see in this book what is going to happen because the whites were not listening, they were not seeing and therefore activity would become more violent.

[[deleted user]]

I would say yes he would have had to have done so.

[Diane]

I agree with the statement, but understand why he wrote it as he did. He was trying to reach a broader audience.

[Connie]

He clearly wrote in an educated manner, which would reach white readers more easily. Of course his narrator is an educated man so that makes sense, but that also makes the narrator sound "whiter", especially in comparison to the blacks he encounters, who have different dialects and slang.

[Anita]

Personally, I agree with Connie, and I think the criticism is misplaced. It's not about making the book more accessible to white readers. It's writing a book that white readers can actually read without feeling defensive. A book where the message can get through because it is presented through excellent storytelling. A book where a white female (me) can feel complete empathy for the trials of a black male. Did Ellison write this with the idea of reaching a broader audience - - I'm sure the answer is yes, and I think he did so very effectively.

[Connie]

I agree, Anita.

[John]

I agree with Anita. (except for the part about being a white female)

[Anita]

John wrote: "I agree with Anita. (except for the part about being a white female)"

Thank you, John. Your exception made me giggle regardless of how true it is.

[Patrick]

Before I read the novel, I was expecting the tone to be much more Afrocentric and can understand the criticism voiced at the time of its publication. But, just like John pointed out many times, the novel's message is fairly universal and not necessarily written to pander to a white(r) audience.